System and method for analyzing a digital image

ABSTRACT

A method of analyzing images captured using an imaging device is provided herein. The analysis provides suggestions for changing a parameter of the imaging device during subsequent image capture.

BACKGROUND

With the proliferation of low cost microprocessors, memory and imagecapture electronics, digital cameras are gaining popularity and arebecoming more and more widely available to a larger number of consumers.One of the advantages of a digital camera over a conventional filmcamera is that when a digital camera captures an image, the image isstored electronically in a memory element associated with the camera andis available for immediate viewing. For example, it is common to capturean image using a digital camera and then immediately display thecaptured image on a display screen associated with the digital camera.This ability to immediately view the image is commonly referred to as“instant review.” The ability to immediately review the recaptured imageallows the user to immediately decide whether the image is satisfactoryand worth keeping. The image may then be printed at a later time.

Many characteristics for determining whether the image is satisfactorymay not be readily visually noticeable on the small display associatedwith many digital cameras. The displays used on the cameras typicallyare not able to display an image with the clarity of a printed image.Therefore, the user may not be able to determine whether image qualitywas optimized simply by viewing the image displayed on the display. Forexample, while the image may appear to be in focus and exposed properlywhen viewed on the camera display, the image may appear out of focus andimproperly exposed when it is printed. Unfortunately, printing the imageis a time consuming and costly way to determine whether an image issatisfactory.

SUMMARY

A method of analyzing images captured using an imaging device isprovided herein. The analysis provides suggestions for changing aparameter of the imaging device during subsequent image capture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a digitalcamera.

FIG. 2 is a graphical illustration of an embodiment of an image file.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart describing the operation of an embodiment of theimage analysis and improvement logic of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart describing an embodiment of detecting overexposure errors and suggesting corrections thereto.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart describing an embodiment of detecting underexposure errors and suggesting corrections thereto.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart describing an embodiment of analyzing an imagethat is over exposed and that was captured using time value mode.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart describing an embodiment of analyzing an image forexposure wherein the image was captured using bracketing.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart describing embodiments for analyzing an image forblur when the handheld limit has been exceeded and the strobe was notactivated.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart describing embodiments for analyzing an image forblur when the image was captured using the burst mode, the handheldlimit was exceeded, and the strobe was not activated.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart describing an embodiment for analyzing an imagefor white balance errors.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Devices and methods for analyzing images are described herein. Thedevices and methods described herein analyze image data that isrepresentative of images. The devices and methods for analyzing imagesmay be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or a combinationthereof. In one embodiment, the system and method for analyzing imagesare implemented using a combination of hardware, software or firmwarethat is stored in a memory and that is executable by a suitableinstruction execution system. In the embodiments described herein, thedevice is a digital camera wherein software stored on hardware in thecamera analyzes image data or otherwise instructs the digital camera toanalyze image data.

The hardware portion of the system and method for analyzing a capturedimage can be implemented with any or a combination of the followingtechnologies, which are all well known in the art: a discreet logiccircuit(s) having logic gates for implementing logic functions upon datasignals, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) havingappropriate combinational logic gates, a programmable gate array(s)(PGA), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc. The software portionof the system and method for analyzing a captured image can be stored inone or more memory elements and executed by a suitable general purposeor application specific processor.

The software for analyzing images, which comprises an ordered listing ofexecutable instructions for implementing logical functions, can beembodied in any computer-readable medium for use by or in connectionwith an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as acomputer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system thatcan fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system,apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In the context ofthis document, a “computer-readable medium” can be any means, whichcontain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for useby or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, ordevice.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a digital camera100, which is sometimes referred to herein simply as a camera 100. Inthe implementation to be described below, the digital camera 100includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 102 thatexecutes the image analysis logic 150 described herein. As will bedescribed below, the image analysis logic 150 can be software that isstored in memory and executed by the ASIC 102. In an alternativeembodiment, the image analysis logic 150 maybe be implemented infirmware, which can be stored and executed in the ASIC 102. Further,while illustrated using a single ASIC 102, the digital camera 100 mayinclude additional processors, digital signal processors (DSPs) andASICs. It should be noted that the ASIC 102 may include other elements,which have been omitted. As described in greater detail below, the ASIC102 controls many functions of the digital camera 100.

The camera 100 includes an image sensor 104. The image sensor 104 maycomprise a charge coupled device (CCD) or an array of complementarymetal oxide semiconductors (CMOS), which are both arrays of lightsensors. Both the CCD and the CMOS sensor includes a two-dimensionalarray of photosensors, which are sometimes referred to as pixels. Thepixels convert specific wavelengths or colors of light intensities tovoltages that are representative of the light intensities. In oneembodiment, higher pixel values or voltages are representative of higherintensities of light and lower pixel values are representative of lowerintensities of light.

In one embodiment of the camera 100, the image sensor 104 captures animage of a subject by converting incident light into an analog signal.The analog signal is transmitted via a connection 109 to an analog frontend (AFE) processor 111. The analog front end processor 111 typicallyincludes an analog-to-digital converter for converting the analog signalreceived from the image sensor 104 into a digital signal. The analogfront end processor 111 provides this digital signal as image data via aconnection 112 to the ASIC 102 for image processing.

The ASIC 102 is coupled to one or more motor drivers 119 via aconnection 118. The motor drivers 119 control the operation of variousparameters of the lens 122 via a connection 121. For example, lenscontrols, such as zoom, focus, aperture and shutter operations can becontrolled by the motor drivers 119. A connection 123 between the lens122 and the image sensor 104 is shown as a dotted line to illustrate theoperation of the lens 122 focusing on a subject and communicating lightto the image sensor 104, which captures the image provided by the lens122.

The ASIC 102 also sends display data via a connection 124 to a displaycontroller 126. The display controller may be, for example, a nationaltelevision system committee (NTSC)/phase alternate line (PAL) encoder,although, depending on the application, other standards for presenting adisplay data may be used. The display controller 126 converts thedisplay data from the ASIC 102 into a signal that can be forwarded via aconnection 127 to an image display 128. The image display 128, which, asan example may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) or other display,displays the captured image to the user of a digital camera 100. Theimage display 128 is typically a color display located on the digitalcamera 100.

Depending on the configuration of the digital camera 100, the imageshown to a user on the image display 128 may be shown before the imageis captured and processed, in what is referred to as “live view” mode,or after the image is captured and processed, in what is referred to as“instant review” mode. In some embodiments, a previously captured may bedisplayed in what is referred to as “review” or “playback” mode. Theinstant review mode is typically used to display the captured image tothe user immediately after the image is captured and the playback modeis typically used to display the captured image to the user sometimeafter the image has been captured and stored in memory.

The instant review mode allows the user of the camera 100 to immediatelyview the captured image on the display 128. Unfortunately, because theimage display 128 is typically small, only gross features, orcharacteristics, of the image can be visually observed. Furthermore, theimage display 128 may not accurately reproduce color, tint, brightness,etc., which may further make it difficult for a user to determine thequality of the captured image. The difficulty in visually determiningthe quality of the captured image leads to the possibility of saving animage that may include deficiencies that, if visually detected, wouldlikely cause the user to discard the image and attempt to captureanother image having better quality. In order to determine whether theimage includes deficiencies that may not be apparent to the user whenviewing the captured image on the image display 128 in the instantreview mode, the image analysis logic 150 dynamically analyzes one ormore characteristics of the captured image. The analysis logic 150 thenpresents the user, via the image display 128 and a user interface, ananalysis of the captured image. An exemplary dynamic analysis of thedata for each pixel in a captured image is described below withreference to FIG. 2. In one embodiment, information associated with eachpixel may be analyzed to determine whether a significant number of thepixels forming the image are either black or white. A predominance ofwhite pixels may be indicative of overexposure and a predominance ofblack pixels may be indicative of underexposure.

Similar dynamic analyses can be performed to determine whether an imageis in focus or to determine the white balance the image is correct. Inone embodiment of determining whether an image is in focus, pixels in animage are examined to determine whether sharp transitions exist betweenpixels. For example, a black pixel adjoining a white pixel may indicatethat the image is in focus, while a black pixel separated from a whitepixel by a number of gray pixels may indicate that the image is out offocus.

White balance is a characteristic of the image that generally refers tothe color balance in the image to ensure that white portions of theimage appear white. An image in which each pixel is a different shade ofthe same color may indicate an image in which the white balance isimproperly adjusted.

Further, an image improvement logic 160 may be provided to present tothe user a recommendation in the form of instructions presented on theimage display 128 on ways in which to possibly improve a subsequentimage. For example, the image improvement logic may suggest adjusting acondition under which the image was captured or adjusting a setting orparameter used to capture the image. As will be described below, in oneembodiment the image analysis logic 150 analyzes the captured image and,optionally, the camera settings used to capture the image, anddetermines a value of one or more characteristics of the captured image.For example, to determine whether the exposure of the image issatisfactory, if a predefined number of white pixels in the image isexceeded, then the image analysis logic 150 may indicate that the imageis overexposed. Further, if the image analysis logic 150 determines thatone or more characteristics of the captured image is not satisfactory toyield a high quality image, the image improvement logic 160 maydetermine whether a condition used to capture the image should beadjusted, or whether a camera setting should be adjusted, to improve asubsequent image. For example, if the image analysis logic 150determines that the image is underexposed, the image improvement logic160 may determine that a subsequent image may be improved by activatingthe camera flash for a subsequent image.

When the image analysis logic 150 analyzes the data representing thecaptured image and the setting used to capture the image, the analysiscan be used by the image improvement logic 160 to suggest adjustments tothe settings to improve a subsequent image. These suggested adjustmentsto the camera settings or parameters can be presented to the user on ahelp screen via the image display 128, or, in an alternativeconfiguration, can be automatically changed for a subsequent image.

It is noted that the image analysis logic 150 and the image improvementlogic 160 may be a single unit. For example, they may exist in the samefirmware or be a single computer program. They have been split intoseparate functions herein solely for illustration purposes.

The ASIC 102 is coupled to a microcontroller 161 via a connection 154.The microcontroller 161 can be a specific or general purposemicroprocessor that controls the various operating aspects andparameters of the digital camera 100. For example, the microcontroller161 may be coupled to a user interface 164 via a connection 162. Theuser interface 164 may include, for example but not limited to, akeypad, one or more buttons, a mouse or pointing device, a shutterrelease, and any other buttons or switches that allow the user of thedigital camera 100 to input commands.

The ASIC 102 is also coupled to various memory modules, which arecollectively referred to as memory 136. The memory 136 may includememory internal to the digital camera 100 and/or memory external to thedigital camera 100. The internal memory may, for example, comprise flashmemory and the external memory may comprise, for example, a removablecompact flash memory card. The various memory elements may comprisevolatile, and/or non-volatile memory, such as, for example but notlimited to, synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) 141,illustrated as a portion of the memory 136 and flash memory.Furthermore, the memory elements may comprise memory distributed overvarious elements within the digital camera 100.

The memory 136 may also store the image analysis logic 150, the imageimprovement logic 160, the settings file a 155 and the various softwareand firmware elements and components (not shown) that allow the digitalcamera 100 to perform its various functions. The memory also stores animage file 135, which represents a captured image. When the system andmethod for analyzing an image is implemented in software, the softwarecode (i.e., the image analysis logic 150) is typically executed from theSDRAM 141 in order to enable the efficient execution of the software inthe ASIC 102. The settings file 155 comprises the various settings usedwhen capturing an image. For example, the exposure time, aperturesetting (f-stop), shutter speed, white balance, flash on or off, focus,contrast, saturation, sharpness, ISO speed, exposure compensation,color, resolution and compression, and other camera settings may bestored in the setting file 155. As will be described below, the settingfile 155 may be accessed by the image analysis logic 150 to analyze acaptured image by, in one example, determining the camera settings usedto capture the image that is under analysis.

The ASIC 102 executes the image analysis logic 150 so that after animage is captured by the image sensor 104, the image analysis logic 150analyzes various characteristics of the captured image. Thesecharacteristics may include characteristics of the captured image, oralternatively, may include the settings used to capture the image.Further, if the image improvement logic 160 determines that the imagecould be improved by changing one or more of the conditions under whichthe image was captured, or by changing one or more camera settings, thenthe image improvement logic 160 can either suggest these changes via theuser interface 164 and the image display 128, or can automaticallychange the settings and prepare the camera for a subsequent image.Embodiments of the analysis are described in greater detail below.

FIG. 2 is a graphical illustration of an image file 135. The image file135 includes a header portion 202 and a pixel array 208. The headerportion or other portion may include data, sometimes referred to hereinas metadata, that indicates settings of the camera or conditions inwhich the image was captured. The metadata may be analyzed to determinewhether improvements to subsequent images may be made. The pixel array208 comprises a plurality of pixels or pixel values, exemplary ones ofwhich are illustrated using reference numerals 204, 206 and 212. Eachpixel in the pixel array 208 represents a portion of the captured imagerepresented by the image file 135. An array size can be, for example,2272 pixels wide by 1712 pixels high. When processed, the image file 135can also be represented as a table of values for each pixel and can bestored, for example, in the memory 136 of FIG. 1. For example, eachpixel has an associated red (R), green (G), and blue (B) value. Thevalue for each R, G and B component can be, for example, a value between0 and 255, where the value of each R, G and B component represents thecolor that the pixel has captured. For example, if pixel 204 hasrespective R, G and B values of 0, 0 and 0, respectively, (or close to0,0,0) the pixel 204 represents the color black, or is close to black.Conversely, for the pixel 212, a respective value of 255 (or close to255) for each R, G and B component represents the color white, or closeto white. R, G and B values between 0 and 255 represent a range ofcolors between black and white.

The data for each pixel in the image file 135 can be analyzed by theimage analysis logic 150 to determine characteristics of the image. Forexample, characteristics including, but not limited to, the exposure,focus or the white balance of the captured image can be analyzed. Apredominance of white pixels may be indicative of overexposure and apredominance of black pixels may be indicative of underexposure. Todetermine whether an image is in focus, pixels in an image are analyzedto determine whether sharp transitions exist between pixels. Forexample, a black pixel adjoining a white pixel may indicate that theimage is in focus, while a black pixel separated from a white pixel by anumber of gray pixels may indicate that the image is out of focus. Animage in which each pixel is a different shade of the same color mayindicate a problem with the white balance of the image. An example ofdetermining the exposure will be described below with respect to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart 300 describing the operation of an embodiment ofthe image analysis logic 150 and the image improvement logic 160 ofFIG. 1. Any process descriptions or blocks in the flow chart to followshould be understood as representing modules, segments or portions ofcode which include one or more executable instructions for implementingspecific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternativeimplementations are included within the scope of the preferredembodiment. For example, functions may be executed out of order fromthat shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or inreverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would beunderstood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the presentinvention.

In block 302 the image sensor 104 of FIG. 1 captures an image. The imageis stored in the memory 136 as image file 135. In block 304, the imagerepresented by the image data is displayed to the user of the digitalcamera 100 via the image display 128 of FIG. 1 during the “instantreview” mode. The instant review mode affords the user the opportunityto view the captured image subsequent to capture.

In decision block 306, the user determines whether he or she wants toview the settings with which the image was captured. If the user wantsto view the settings, the settings are displayed to the user on theimage display 128 as indicated in block 308. If the user does not wantto view the settings, then, in decision block 312, it is determinedwhether the user wants the image analysis logic 150 to analyze theimage. If the user does not want the image to be analyzed, then, inblock 314 the image can be saved or discarded. Alternatively, the imageanalysis logic 150 can be invoked automatically without userintervention.

In block 316, the image analysis logic 150 analyzes the data within theimage file 135. The data is analyzed to determine variouscharacteristics of the captured image. The following example will useexposure as the characteristic that is analyzed by the image analysislogic 150. However, other characteristics, such as, focus and whitebalance, can be analyzed. Analysis of several of these othercharacteristics will be described in greater detail below.

When analyzing exposure, the image analysis logic 150 performs a pixelby pixel analysis to determine whether the image includes a predominanceof either black or white pixels. It should be noted that rather thansampling all the pixels constituting the image, a sample of the pixelsmay be analyzed. In this example, the data associated with each pixel inthe image file 135 is analyzed to determine whether a pixel is a blackpixel or a white pixel. Each pixel is analyzed to determine itscorresponding R, G and B values. For example, if the R, G and B valuesfor the pixel 204 are all zeros, the pixel is considered a black pixel.Each pixel in the pixel array 208 is analyzed in this manner todetermine the number of black or white pixels in the pixel array 208 forthis image file. A determination in block 306 that a substantial portionof the pixels in the array 208 are black indicates that the image islikely underexposed. Conversely, a determination that many of pixels inthe array 208 are white indicates that the image is likely overexposed.Of course the image may be of an all white or an all black subject, inwhich case the user may choose to disregard the analysis.

In an alternative embodiment, the data in the image file 135 can beanalyzed in combination with other data available either in the imagefile 135 or from the settings file 155 in the camera 100. For example,additional data, sometimes referred to as metadata, saved in the header202 of the image file 135 can be analyzed in conjunction with theinformation from each pixel in the array 208. This information mightinclude, for example, the ISO setting and the aperture setting (f-stop)used to capture the image. These data items can be used in conjunctionwith the pixel data above to develop additional information regardingthe characteristic of the analyzed image. Analysis of the settings willbe described in greater detail below.

Furthermore, the image analysis logic 150 can also analyze the camerasettings used to capture the image and use those settings when analyzingthe data in the image file 135 to develop additional data regarding theimage file 135. For example, the image analysis logic 150 can access thesettings file 155 in the memory 136 of FIG. 1 to determine, for example,whether the flash was enabled, or to determine the position of the lenswhen the image was captured. In this manner, the image analysis logic150 can gather a range of information relating to the captured image toperform an analysis on the captured image file 135 to determine whetherthe captured image meets certain criteria. To illustrate an example, ifthe image analysis logic 150 determines that the image is underexposed,i.e., the image file contains many black pixels, the image analysislogic 150 can access the settings file 155 to determine whether theflash was active when the image was captured. If the image analysislogic 150 determines that the flash was turned off, the image analysislogic 150 may communicate with the image improvement logic 160 torecommend that the user activate the flash so that a subsequent imagemay have less likelihood of being underexposed. It should be noted thatthe settings file 155 may be appended to the image file 135.

In decision block 318, it is determined whether the image data analyzedin block 316 represents an acceptable image. This can be an objectivedetermination based on criteria that the user enters into the camera 100via a user interface 164, FIG. 1, or can be preset in the camera 100 atthe time of manufacture. Alternatively, the determination of whether theimage data represents an acceptable image can be a subjectivedetermination based on user input. If the image is determined to beacceptable, then no further calculations or analysis are performed.

If, however, in decision block 318 the image analysis logic 150determines that certain conditions under which the image was captured orsettings used to capture the image can be changed to improve the image,then, in block 322, the image improvement logic 160 evaluates thesettings used to capture the data in the image file 135 to determinewhether a condition or setting can be changed to improve the image. Inaddition, the image improvement logic 160 can also developrecommendations to present to the user of the camera to improve asubsequent image. For example, if the analysis in block 316 suggeststhat the image was underexposed, the image improvement logic 160 maydevelop “advice” to be presented to the user. In this example, as willbe described below, the image improvement logic 160 may suggest that theuser activate the flash to improve a subsequent image. This suggestionmay be provided to the user via the image display 128 in conjunctionwith the user interface 164.

In block 324, an instant review settings and help screen is displayed tothe user. The instant review and help screen may include, for example, athumbnail size display of the image, a display of the setting used tocapture the image, an evaluation of the image and, if the user desires,suggestions on ways to improve the image. The evaluation of the imagemay include, for example, a notification that characteristics, such asexposure, focus and color balance are satisfactory. Suggestions on waysin which to improve the image may be communicated to the user via theimage display 128 and may include, for example, changing a conditionunder which the image was captured, changing a setting with which theimage was captured, or a combination of both changing a condition and asetting.

In decision block 326, the user determines whether another image is tobe captured. If the user does not want to capture another image, theprocess ends. If, however, in decision block 326, the user wants tocapture another image, then, in decision block 332, it is determinedwhether the user wants to manually change a parameter, such as acondition or setting, for the subsequent image or, if the parameter isto be set automatically the digital camera 100, FIG. 1.

If, in decision block 332, the user decides to manually change thesetting, then, in block 334, the user changes the setting and theprocess returns to block 302 where another image is captured and theprocess repeats. If, however, in decision block 332, the user wants thedigital camera 100 to automatically change the setting, then, in block336, the setting used to capture the previous image are changedaccording to the new setting determined in block 324. The process thenreturns to block 302 to capture a subsequent image.

Having described some embodiments of analyzing characteristics of animage and camera settings, other embodiments will now be described.

In the following embodiments, the data in the header 202, FIG. 2, of animage file 135 is sometimes referred to as metadata. As described above,the metadata may include several characteristics related to the camerasettings at the time the image was captured. These settings may besettings adjusted manually by the user or automatically by the camera.In some embodiments of the image analysis logic 150, the metadata, andnot the data representative of the pixels 208, is analyzed.

It should be noted that the following analysis provides determinationsof some of the possible anomalies that may be detected by the imageanalysis logic 150. Thus, fewer or more possible anomalies may bedetected.

Exposure Errors

Several possible exposure errors or anomalies may be detected byanalyzing the metadata and the image data. Several methods may be usedto determine these possible exposure errors. For example, as describedabove, the pixel values may be analyzed to determine whether apreselected number of pixel values are above or below preselectedvalues. The metadata may also be analyzed to determine the camerasettings and ambient conditions at the time the image was captured todetermine if the camera settings were proper. It is noted that the timeof image capture refers to a time in which the digital camera generatedimage data.

Over Exposure in Aperture Priority Mode

Reference is made to FIG. 4, which is a flowchart 200 describing anembodiment of detecting over exposure errors and suggesting correctionsto overcome the errors. In summary, the embodiment of the method setforth in FIG. 4 suggests corrections when the image is over exposed bymore than a predetermined amount and the camera is in aperture prioritymode. Aperture priority mode enables a user to select an aperturesetting during image capture. In this embodiment of the digital camera,the digital camera may have the above-described aperture priority modeand another mode wherein the digital camera selects an aperture to useduring image capture.

In decision block 202, a decision is made as to whether the camera wasin aperture priority mode during image capture. As described above,aperture priority mode enables a user of the camera to manually selectan aperture setting. Data stored in the metadata may indicate whetherthe camera was in aperture priority mode during image capture. If thecamera is not in aperture priority mode, processing proceeds to block204 where processing continues to the next analysis. More specifically,the suggestion ultimately offered by the flowchart 200 will not beapplicable to the camera setting when the camera is not in aperturepriority mode. If the camera is in aperture priority mode, the analysiscontinues to decision block 206.

In decision block 206, a decision is made as to whether the image isover exposed by a predetermined amount. For example, the image may beanalyzed to determine if the exposure is greater than a preselected stopvalue. In the embodiment of the flow chart 200, the decision block 206determines whether the image is over exposed by more than two-thirds ofa stop. It should be noted that other values of the stop may be used inthe decision block 206. If the image is not over exposed by more thanthe preselected stop value, processing continues to block 204 asdescribed above. If the image is over exposed by more than thepreselected stop value, processing continues to decision block 208 asdescribed below.

In decision block 208, a determination is made as to whether the imageis over exposed by more than a preselected value. In one embodiment, thepreselected value corresponds to two-thirds stop. It should be notedthat in other embodiments, determinations may be made as to whether theexposure is between preselected values and an indication may be providedas to the amount of overexposure. A suggestion that the image may beover exposed may be provided by also determining an exposurecompensation values set during generation of the image data. In oneembodiment, the decision block 208 determines whether the exposurecompensation is between plus and minus 0.6. It is noted that an exposurecompensation of a value other than zero is indicative of a manual usersetting. In this embodiment, if the exposure compensation is not withinthe preselected values, processing proceeds to block 204 as describedabove. If the exposure compensation is within the preselected values,processing proceeds to block 210.

At this point, it has been determined that the image is over exposed bya preselected number of stops and the camera is in aperture prioritymode. In addition, in this embodiment, the exposure compensation is notwithin preselected values. Block 210 then determines the number of stopsthe image is over exposed. For example, the pixel values may be analyzedto determine the amount of over exposure. Based on the foregoing, block212 causes the camera to display information related to correcting theover exposure problem. In the embodiment of the flowchart 200, theinformation informs the user of the stop value of the over exposure andsuggests using a smaller aperture setting, which relates to a largerf-number. Block 212 may also suggest using an automatic mode, whereinthe camera selects the aperture and possibly the exposure compensation.

Under Exposure in Aperture Priority Mode

Reference is made to FIG. 5, which is a flowchart 230 describing anembodiment of detecting under exposure errors and suggesting correctionsthereto. In summary, the method set forth in FIG. 54 suggestscorrections when the image is under exposed by more than a predeterminedamount and the camera is in aperture priority mode. In one embodiment,the under exposure corresponds to two-thirds stop and in anotherembodiment, the under exposure corresponds to one stop.

In decision block 232, a decision is made as to whether the camera wasin aperture priority mode during the generation of image data. Datastored in the metadata may indicate whether the camera was in aperturepriority mode. If the camera was not in aperture priority mode duringgeneration of the image data, processing proceeds to block 234 whereprocessing continues to the next analysis. More specifically, thesuggestion for improving image quality ultimately offered by theflowchart 220 will not be applicable to the camera setting. If thecamera was in aperture priority mode, the analysis continues to decisionblock 236.

In decision block 236, a decision is made as to whether the image isunder exposed by a predetermined amount, which may be a preselected stopvalue. In the embodiment of the flow chart 230, the decision block 236determines whether the image is under exposed by more than two thirds ofa stop. It should be noted that other under exposure values, such as onestop, may be used in the decision block 236. If the image is not underexposed by more than the preselected stop value, processing continues toblock 234 as described above. If the image is under exposed by more thanthe preselected amount, processing continues to decision block 238 asdescribed below.

As with over exposure, an indication of under exposure may be assistedby analyzing an exposure compensation setting during the generation ofimage data. In the embodiment of the analysis of FIG. 5, such ananalysis is performed in decision block 238 where a determination ismade as to whether the exposure compensation was within preselectedvalues. It should be noted that in other embodiments, determinations maybe made as to whether the exposure compensation is greater or less thanpreselected values. In one embodiment, the decision block 238 determineswhether the exposure compensation is set to zero. It is noted that anexposure compensation of a value other than zero is indicative of amanual user setting. If the exposure compensation is not within thepreselected values, processing proceeds to block 234 as described above.If the exposure compensation is within the preselected values,processing proceeds to block 240. It should be noted that in someembodiments, exposure compensation is not analyzed.

At this point, it has been determined that the image is under exposed bya preselected number of stops and the camera was in aperture prioritymode during generation of the image data. In addition, in thisembodiment, the exposure compensation was not within preselected values.Block 240 determines the number of stops the image is under exposed.Based on the foregoing, block 242 causes the camera to displayinformation related to correcting the under exposure problem. In theembodiment of the flowchart 230, the information informs the user of thestop value of the under exposure and suggests using a larger aperturesetting, which relates to a smaller f-number. Block 242 may also suggestsetting the camera to automatic mode as described above.

Over Exposure in Time Value Mode

The analysis of the metadata and image data may determine that the imageis over exposed and the camera is in a time value mode. Time value modeis sometimes referred to as Tv mode. The time value mode enables a userto select the shutter speed of the camera, which determines the exposuretime during image capture. More specifically, the shutter speeddetermines the amount of time that the photosensors charge during imagecapture. If the shutter speed is set too slow, the image may be overexposed. Likewise, if the shutter speed is set too fast, the image willbe under exposed.

An embodiment of analyzing an image to determine whether the image isover exposed due to an improper setting in time value mode is shown inthe flow chart 260 FIG. 6. At decision block 262, a determination ismade as to whether the camera was in time value mode during imagecapture. The decision as to whether the camera was in time value modeduring image capture may be made by analyzing the metadata associatedwith the image. If the camera was not in time value mode, the followinganalysis is not relevant and processing proceeds to block 264. Block 264simply directs the processing to analyze other possible problems withthe captured image.

As stated above, in some embodiments, the setting of exposurecompensation at the time of image capture may provide insight toexposure problems. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, exposure compensation isanalyzed at decision block 266, where a determination is made as towhether the exposure compensation was set to a preselected value. Thedecision as to whether the exposure compensation is set to a preselectedvalue may be made by analyzing the metadata associated with the image.In one embodiment, the decision block 266 determines whether theexposure compensation is set to zero. In other embodiments, the decisionblock 266 may determine if the exposure compensation is greater than orless than preselected values or between preselected values. In theembodiment of FIG. 6, if the result of decision block 266 is negative,then processing proceeds to block 264 because, the analysis does nothave bearing on the camera settings. In some embodiments, exposurecompensation is not analyzed.

If the result of decision block 266 is affirmative, processing continuesto decision block 270. It is noted that in order for processing to reachdecision block 270, the camera is in time value mode and the exposurecompensation is either at, below, above, or between preselected values.Decision block 270 determines whether the exposure error is greater thana preselected value, meaning that the image is overexposed. If the imageis not overexposed, processing proceeds to block 264 as described above.If the image is overexposed, processing proceeds to block 272. Asdescribed above, the pixel values may be analyzed to determine if theimage is over exposed.

Block 272 displays information regarding the image. Many differentembodiments of the information may be displayed. In one embodiment, theinformation informs the user that the image is overexposed. Theinformation may also include the amount of the overexposure and asuggestion that the scene brightness was so high that the camera couldnot select an appropriate F-number. A suggestion of a faster shutterspeed or using an automatic mode may be provided to the user. Block 272may also suggest setting the camera to automatic mode.

Under Exposure in Time Value Mode

The analysis of the metadata and image data may determine that the imageis under exposed and the camera is in a time value mode. The analysismay be the same as with the flow chart 260 and the description providedabove, except a determination at block 270 may determine that the imageis under exposed. It follows that the suggestions to correct the problemwould be the opposite as those provided at block 272. For example, theinformation may indicate that the scene brightness was too low for thecamera to select a low enough F-number. The suggestion may include usinga slower shutter speed or an automatic mode. As with block 272, asuggestion may be made to use the automatic mode of the camera.

Bracketing Problems

Some embodiments of the camera include a bracketing mode, which enablesusers to capture a plurality of images using different settings. Morespecifically, the camera captures a series of images using at least onepreselected range of settings. For example, the camera may capture threeimages wherein each image has a different exposure compensation. A usermay select the best image from the plurality of captured images. Thecamera may determine that some errors occurred while using thebracketing mode and may suggest procedures to correct the errors duringsubsequent image captures.

Exposure Compensation is Set to Great

In one embodiment, the exposure compensation is set to great to use thebracketing mode properly. More specifically, the absolute value of theexposure compensation may be too great to use the bracketing modeproperly. This determination may be made by analyzing the metadata todetermine if the exposure compensation is greater or less thanpreselected values. In one embodiment, the determination is made ifbracketing is set and the metadata indicates that the exposurecompensation is set to a value of greater than 2.3 or a value less than−2.3.

If the above conditions are met, the camera may inform the user of theproblem. For example, the camera may suggest setting the exposurecompensation to a value closer to zero or using the automatic mode.

More Over Exposure May Be Desired

In one embodiment of bracketing, the user may want an image to beextremely over exposed. The camera may analyze metadata and image datato determine that the camera was set to over expose images and thatfurther over exposure may be achieved. In such an embodiment, the imagesmay be captured using varying shutter speeds or ISO speeds. The varyingshutter speeds may be set slow which would cause the images to be overexposed. The image data may be examined to determine if it is overexposed. If so, the camera may suggest using a greater exposurecompensation during generation of subsequent image data.

In a similar embodiment, the exposure of the image may have encountereda maximum value during the bracketing sequence. Thus, more than oneimage would be similar. In order to take better advantage of thebracketing, the camera may suggest lowering the exposure compensationduring the bracketing sequence. Therefore, the images will vary from oneto another. For example, the camera may determine that exposurecompensation was set greater than 2.3 and that ten percent of the pixelvalues are greater than a preselected value. The camera may suggestlowering the exposure compensation to a value between plus and minus 2.0during the subsequent bracketing sequence. In one embodiment, the cameradetermines that a maximum exposure of 3.0 stops was obtained during thebracketing sequence and recommends the above-described changes duringthe subsequent bracketing sequence.

More Under Exposure May Be Desired

In an embodiment similar to the above-described embodiment, the cameramay detect that a user wanted greater under exposure during a bracketingsequence. For example, the shutter speed or ISO speed may be set fast soas to cause under exposure. More than one image captured during thebracketing sequence may have reached the maximum under exposure of thecamera, so the full use of the bracketing sequence may not be realized.For example, more than one image may be under exposed by a maximum ofthe camera of 3.0 stops.

As with the section above, the camera may suggest reducing the exposurecompensation during a subsequent bracketing sequence. For example, thecamera may suggest setting the exposure compensation to values ofbetween plus and minus 2.0 during a subsequent bracketing sequence.

Clipped and Dark Pixel Values

For the following embodiments, pixel values are analyzed to determine ifthey are clipped or dark. Clipped pixel refer to pixel values that areat a maximum or saturated value. Clipped pixel values may be indicativeof an image that is over exposed. Dark pixel values are indicative of anunder exposed image. During bracketing, clipped or dark pixels areindicative of the exposure of the image being too light or too dark.

One embodiment of analyzing the exposure of an image captured usingbracketing is shown by the flow chart 280 of FIG. 7. In decision block282, a determination is made as to whether the camera is in bracketingmode. The bracketing mode may capture a plurality of images usingdifferent shutter or ISO speeds. Block 282 may determine if thebracketing mode enables exposure compensation of plus or minus 0.7 orgreater. If the camera is not in bracketing mode, processing proceeds toblock 284 where other possible problems with the captured image areanalyzed. If the camera is in bracketing mode, processing proceeds todecision block 286 where a determination is made as to whether thenumber of clipped pixels exceed a preselected value. The number ofclipped pixels may be determined by counting the number of pixel valuesin the image file that are saturated or that exceed a preselected value.In some embodiments, block 286 determines if the number of clipped pixelvalues exceed three percent.

If the determination from decision block 286 is affirmative, processingproceeds to block 288. More specifically, if the number of clippedpixels exceeds the preselected value, the captured image is probablyover exposed. Block 288 displays information related to the image beingover exposed. In one embodiment, a message is displayed indicating thatthe image is over exposed and suggests setting the exposure compensationcloser to zero during a subsequent bracketing sequence. The exposurecompensation may also be set to automatic mode.

If the determination of decision block 286 is negative, processingproceeds to decision block 290. Decision block 290 determines whetherthe number of dark pixels in the image file exceed a preselected number.The number of dark pixel values may be determined by counting the numberof pixel values that are zero or that are less than a preselectednumber. In some embodiments, decision block 290 determines if greaterthan ten percent of the pixel values are less than a preselected value.If the determination of decision block 290 is negative, processingproceeds to block 284 as described above. If the determination ofdecision block 290 is positive, processing proceeds to block 292. Block292 causes the camera to display information similar to block 288.However, block 292 may indicate that the exposure compensation isnegative and that the image is under exposed. The suggestion is toadjust the exposure compensation closer to zero. Again, the suggestionsmay also include using the automatic mode.

Strobe Required in Bracketing Mode

One problems that may be analyzed is a situation where one of aplurality of images captured during bracketing mode required a strobe,which did not activate, and the other images did not require the strobe.This situation may be indicative of a blurry image. More specifically,during bracketing mode, if the nominal image does not require a strobe,the other images may be captured without the strobe. If the cameradetermines that one of the images, other than the nominal image,required a strobe, it may indicate that the shutter speed dropped belowthe hand held limit for the desired zoom. The hand held limit is afunction of the zoom and the shutter speed and represents the limit towhich a typical user is able to hold the camera and capture an imagewithout the image being blurred. The hand held limit may be reached byeither a narrow or telephoto zoom or a long exposure time used duringimage capture. Either situation makes the image more susceptible toblurring caused by the user holding the camera, which may cause thecamera to shake too much during image capture.

During analysis, the metadata of the images captured during thebracketing are analyzed. Based on the zoom and the exposure time, adetermination within the camera may be made that the hand held limit hadbeen reached during image capture. In addition, based on the metadata, adetermination may be made that the strobe should have been activated. Inthis situation, the strobe was forced not to activate because of thebracketing. The determination could then be made that the image may beblurry. A suggestion may be offered to the user to use a tripod or othercamera stabilizing device. Other suggestions may include turning theflash on for the entire bracketing sequence.

Exposure Compensation

Exposure Compensation Set Too High

In a first situation, the user captures images with the exposurecompensation set to a positive value and the captured images are overexposed. In summary, an analysis concludes that the user may haveforgotten that the exposure compensation is set to a positive value.

The metadata may be analyzed to determine if the image was capturedwhile the exposure compensation was set to a positive value. In someembodiments, the analysis determines of the exposure compensation wasset equal to or greater than 0.6. In addition, the number of clippedpixels may be compared to a preselected number to determine if thenumber of clipped pixels exceeds the preselected number. For example,the analysis may determine if the number of clipped pixels exceeds threepercent. If the above-described conditions are met, the camera maydisplay a message to the user indicating that the image may be overexposed and that the exposure compensation is set to high. The cameramay suggest lowering the exposure compensation or setting it closer tozero. The camera may also suggest using an automatic exposurecompensation mode.

Over Exposed or Under Exposure of the Subject

In this situation, the analysis indicates that the subject is overexposed or under exposed. The state of the exposure may be determined bysampling pixel values in a portion of the image. For example, pixelvalues from the center of the image where the subject is typicallylocated may be analyzed. An excessive number of clipped or dark pixelvalues in a specific region relative to another region may indicate thatthe subject is over exposed or under exposed.

In one embodiment, the metadata is analyzed to determine that the camerawas not in aperture priority mode and the subject, as described above,is under exposed. In such a situation, the subject may be backlit andthe light meter may have measured the background rather than thesubject. The analysis may indicate that the subject is under exposed.The solution suggested to the user may be to increase the exposurecompensation to a positive number such as +0.3. The processing programmay also suggest forcing the flash on if the subject is within apreselected range, such as within ten feet of the camera.

In another embodiment, the metadata is analyzed to determine that thecamera is in automatic mode and the subject, as described above, is overexposed and the background is dark. In addition the metadata indicatesthat the strobe did not activate during image capture. The processingprogram may indicate that the subject is over exposed. The solutionsuggested to the user may be to reduce the exposure compensation to anegative number.

Exposure Problems in Spot Mode

In some embodiments, the processing program analyzes exposure problemswith the image wherein the image was captured using spot mode. Spot moderelates to the portion of an image use by the camera during focusing andsetting up exposure for the remainder of the image. In spot mode, theportion is typically very small. The determination as to whether thecamera was in spot mode during image capture may be determined byanalyzing the metadata. Over exposure or under exposure problems incertain portions of the image may be detected by analyzing the pixelvalues.

In one embodiment, the analysis uses the center of the image todetermine if it is dark and if surrounded by bright areas. Such asituation may indicate to the user that the image is over exposed. Theprocessing program may also indicate that the image was captured usingspot mode and that the camera relied solely on the dark portion tocalculate exposure. Thus, the remaining portion of the image is notproperly exposed. The camera may suggest setting the metering to averageor center-weighted. The camera may also suggest using an automatic mode.The camera may also suggest using a wider portion of the image duringfocusing and setting up exposure.

In another embodiment, the image is analyzed as being light in thecenter and dark in the surrounding areas. As described above, thissituation may be detected by analyzing the pixel values corresponding tovarious portions of the iamge. If such a situation is detected, theprocessing program may indicate that the image appears to be underexposed. The processing program may also indicate that the image wascaptured using the spot mode and that the camera did not use darkregions on the edge of the scene to calculate exposure. The camera maysuggest setting the metering to average or center-weighted. The cameramay also suggest using a wider portion of the image for focusing andexposure settings.

Under Exposed Image

The program may find many situations in which an image is or may beunder exposed. In the following situation, the scene may be relativelydark and the strobe may not have activated during image capture. Inorder to compensate for the dark scene, the camera may select a slowshutter speed during image capture. However, the camera may not have ashutter speed slow enough to properly expose the image of the relativelydark scene. The program may determine that the image is under exposed byanalyzing the pixel values as described above. The program may alsoanalyze the shutter speed during image capture, which may be stored inthe metadata. If the camera does not have a slower shutter speed, theprogram may suggest using a higher ISO or a wider zoom. The wider zoommay cause the aperture to open a little wider. The camera may alsosuggest illuminating the scene.

Focus Errors

Focus Problems Due to an Unstable Camera

The processing program may analyze several items in the metadata todetermine that the image may be blurry due to shaking of the camera atthe time the image was captured. An embodiment for determining whetherthe image may be blurry is shown in the flowchart 300 of FIG. 8. Othermethods of detecting focus problems due to shaking are described furtherbelow.

Some portions of the flowchart 300 and the methods described thereindescribe the handheld limit of the camera. As set forth above, thehandheld limit is a function of zoom and exposure time. The basis forthe handheld limit is that a user of a camera that holds the camera isgoing to shake the camera during image capture, which is going to blurthe image. The camera may be programmed with a handheld number or limit,which may be based on the amount of shaking a typical user shakes whileholding the camera. It is noted that a longer exposure time or greaterzoom increases the handheld calculation closer to or beyond the handheldlimit.

At decision block 304, a determination is made as to whether thehandheld limit has been reached. If the hand held limit has not beenreached, meaning that the shaking caused by a user probably did notaffect the image, processing proceeds to block 306. As noted above, thehand held limit refers to a function of exposure time and zoom setting,and may include other variables. At block 306, the processing continuesto analyze another aspect or potential problem with the image becauseconditions were not met to proceed with the following analysis.

At decision block 308, a determination is made as to whether the strobeor flash activated. If the strobe activated, processing proceeds toblock 306 as described above. If the strobe activated, then the cameralikely compensated for low light conditions and the following analysisis not relevant. If the strobe did not activate, processing proceeds todecision block 310 where a determination is made as to whether thestrobe should have been activated. For example, the image may have beencaptured under low light conditions wherein the strobe was forced not toactivate. It should be noted that the hand held limit may be reached ifthe strobe activated. Thus, in some embodiments, determinations may bemade that the hand held limit was met even if the strobe activatedduring image capture.

If the above-described conditions are met, processing continues todecision block 312 where a determination is made as to whether thecamera is in a macro mode. A macro mode is a mode wherein the usercaptures an image of an object that is significantly close to thecamera. For example, the object may be located a few inches from thecamera. If all the above-described conditions are met, the process maydetermine that the image could be out of focus and may proceed to block316. Block 316 displays information regarding the possible focus problemand suggestions to overcome the problem. For example, text indicatingthat the image may be out of focus if it was captured withoutstabilizing the camera may be displayed. In addition, suggestions ofreducing the zoom, improving the lighting, and stabilizing the cameramay be provided to the user.

If the determination of decision block 312 is negative, processingproceeds to decision block 318 where a determination is made regardingthe zoom setting used during image capture. More specifically, decisionblock 318 determines whether the zoom was set to a wide angle duringimage capture. The determination may be made by comparing the setting ofthe zoom to a preselected value, wherein a zoom setting below thepreselected value constitutes a wide angle zoom setting. If thedetermination of decision block 318 is affirmative, processing proceedsto block 320, where text is displayed to indicate a possible problemwith the image. The text may indicate that the image may be out of focusif it was captured if a tripod or the like was not used to stabilize thecamera during image capture. Suggestions for correcting the problem mayalso be displayed and include using an automatic flash or strobe modeand stabilizing the camera during image capture.

If the determination from decision block 318 is negative, processingproceeds to decision block 322. At decision block 322, a determinationis made as to whether the zoom setting of the camera during imagecapture was in a middle region. This may be accomplished by determiningwhether the zoom was set between two preselected values which representthe middle range of the zoom setting. If the determination of decisionblock 322 is affirmative, processing proceeds to block 324. At block324, text is displayed to suggest that a problem exists with the imageand to offer suggestions for improving the image. For example, the textmay indicate that the image may be out of focus if it was capturedwithout stabilizing the camera or if the subject was moving. In order toimprove a subsequent image, the text may suggest setting the flash toautomatic mode, stabilizing the camera, and using a wider zoom.

If the determination of decision block 326 is negative, processingproceeds to block 326, which is similar to block 306. In summary, theanalysis could not determine any problems with the image and the nextparameter will be analyzed. It should be noted that block 326 may neverbe reached if the zoom settings of decision blocks 312, 318, and 322encompass all possible zoom settings.

Focus Problems in Burst Mode

As set forth above, the image may be blurred or otherwise out of focusif it is determined that the handheld limit has been exceeded. Blurringmay be more prominent in burst mode, which causes several images to becaptured within a preselected period. The strobe is typically notactivated in burst mode because it does not have time to charge betweenimage captures. Thus, if the images are captured in low lightconditions, the shutter speed is slowed, which increases the likelihoodthat the hand held limit will be reached.

An embodiment of analyzing focus problems in burst mode is provided inthe flowchart 400 of FIG. 9. The flowchart of FIG. 9 is based on anembodiment wherein the strobe is disabled during burst mode. In decisionblock 404 of the flowchart 400, a determination is made as to whetherthe camera was in burst mode during image capture. If the determinationof decision block 404 is negative, processing proceeds to block 406. Atblock 406, it is determined that the remaining analysis has no bearingand processing proceeds to the next analysis. If the determination ofdecision block 404 is affirmative, processing proceeds to decision block410 where a determination is made as to whether the handheld limit wasexceeded during image capture. As described above, the metadata may beanalyzed to determine if the handheld limit has been exceeded. If thedetermination of decision block 410 is negative, processing proceeds toblock 406 as described above.

If the determination of decision block 410 is affirmative, processingproceeds to decision block 412. Decision block 412 determines if thecamera focused at the time the user captured the image. Again, if thedetermination of decision block 412 is negative, processing proceeds toblock 406 as described above. The decision as to whether the camerafocused at the time of image capture is sometimes referred to as whetherthe “focus lock” was achieved, indicating that the focus of the camerawas at a preselected threshold during image capture.

If all the above-described conditions have been met, processing proceedsto decision block 416 where a determination is made as to whether thestrobe would have otherwise activated during image capture. In otherwords, the determination of decision block 416 determines if the scenewas illuminated dim so that the strobe would have activated, except thecamera was in burst mode. In one embodiment of the camera describedherein, the camera includes sunset mode, which is used to capture imagesin low light conditions. For example, the shutter speed may berelatively slow. The metadata may be analyzed to determine if the camerawas in sunset mode when the image was captured. In such situations, thestrobe would typically activate but for the camera being in burst mode.If the camera was in sunset mode, the image may be blurred because ofthe low light conditions and because the strobe was not activated. Theremay be other embodiments of the camera which cause the strobe to beinactive during image capture. For example, macro modes and modes toimage documents may cause the strobe to be disabled.

If the conditions set forth above are met, processing proceeds to block418. Block 418 displays text on the camera indicating that the image maybe out of focus if a tripod or other stabilizing device was not usedduring image capture. The text may indicate that the image was capturedduring low light conditions with the strobe forced off due to the burstmode. Accordingly, the exposure time was long and may have exceeded thehandheld limit. A suggestion of using a tripod or otherwise steadyingthe camera during image capture may be provided to the user. The cameramay also suggest using a strobe, which may require capturing images on amode other than burst mode. In another embodiment, the camera maysuggest widening the zoom. As described above, a narrow zoom increasesthe likelihood of reaching the hand held limit.

If the determination from decision block 416 is negative, processingproceeds to block 406 because the present analysis has no bearing on theimage quality.

No Focus Lock During Image Capture

Some embodiments of the camera include a switch that is used to causethe camera to capture images. The switch may be in a first position whenno pressure is applied. The switch may be in a second position when afirst force is applied. The second position is typically achieved when auser presses lightly on the switch. The second position cause the camerato focus on a scene. Because the focusing may take a while, the user mayhave to maintain the switch in the second position for a period whilethe camera focuses. Many cameras provide a focus indicator, whichprovides the user with an indiction as to whether focus has beenachieved or not. Application of more force cause the switch into a thirdposition, wherein the third position causes the camera to generate imagedata.

If the switch is pressed too fast, the camera may not achieve focusbefore an image is captured. The status of the focus may be stored inthe metadata associated with each image. In some embodiments of thecamera, the program analyses the metadata to determine if focus wasachieved prior to the generation of image data. In some embodiments, thetime that the switch was maintained in the second position may providean indication as to the status of the focus. For example, if the switchwas rapidly pressed from the first position to the third position, therapid pressing may have caused the camera to shake during image capture,which may blur the image. Thus, if the camera found that focus lock wasnot achieved or if the switch was pressed too fast, the program mayindicate that the image may be blurry.

In one embodiment, the camera suggests slowing down the speed in whichthe switch was pressed. For example, the camera may suggest maintainingthe switch in the second position until focus lock is achieved. Thecamera may also suggest attempting to focus on a high contrast portionof the scene. High contrast portions of a scene usually provide betterreferences for focus. In some embodiments, the camera may focus fasterif the lighting in the scene is intensified. Thus, the program maysuggest increasing light intensity during generation of subsequent imagedata.

Camera Set to Focus at Infinity—Image Out of Focus

Many camera embodiments include different focus ranges. In oneembodiment, the camera includes a close focus and an infinity focus. Theclose focus, in this embodiment, enables the camera to focus on objectsbetween a first distance from the camera to infinity. The infinity focusenables the camera to focus on objects located between a second distancefrom the camera and infinity, wherein the second distance is greaterthan the first distance. A camera may also include a manual focus modewherein a user manually focuses the camera.

The program may analyze the focus of the camera by analyzing themetadata to determine whether the camera obtained focus lock duringgeneration of the image data. The program may also analyze the focussetting to determine the focus mode of the camera during generation ofthe image data. If the camera was set to infinity focus duringgeneration of the image data and the camera was unable to focus, theprogram may suggest using the close focus mode during generation ofsubsequent image data. The close focus mode increases the range of focusof the camera so that there is a better chance of obtaining focus lockduring generation of subsequent image data. Likewise, if the camera wasset to manual focus and did not achieve focus lock, the program maysuggest using an automatic focus mode wherein the close focus andinfinity focus modes are automatic focus modes.

The above-described analysis may also apply to a macro mode, wherein themacro mode enables the camera to focus on objects located in closeproximity to the camera. If the camera detects an object within therange of the macro mode, but detects that the camera was not set tofocus in macro mode during generation of the image data, the program maysuggest using another focus mode or moving further away from the objectduring generation of subsequent image data. The program may also suggeststabilizing the camera during generation of subsequent image databecause use of the macro mode increases the possibility of encounteringthe above-described hand held limit. In another embodiment, the programmay suggest reducing the aperture size when the camera is in a macromode.

Blurry Image—Focus Assist Indicator Deactivated

Some embodiments of the camera include an indicator that provides anindication when focus lock is achieved. The indicator is sometimesreferred to as a focus assist indicator. Several versions of theindicator may be provided in the camera. For example, an LCD screen mayprovide an indication as to the status of the focus lock. In anotherembodiment, a light may change color depending on whether or not focuslock is achieved. In low light conditions, the light may irritate theuser, so the user, in some embodiments, may disable the light. A problemoccurs if the user attempts to capture images with the light disabledbecause the user may not know whether the camera has achieved focuslock.

The status of the indicator may be stored in the metadata. The statusmay include whether the indicator was disabled during generation ofimage data and whether the camera achieved focus lock. If the indicatorwas disabled, the program may suggest enabling the indicator duringgeneration of subsequent image data. In one embodiment, the program mayanalyze the ambient light intensity and determine that the focusindicator should be enabled if the ambient light intensity is low. Asstated above, achieving focus may be difficult in low light conditions,so the program may suggest enabling the focus assist indicator so as toimprove the changes of achieving focus lock. In yet another embodiment,the camera may provide the indication to enable the focus assistindicator if the camera did not achieve focus lock.

Strobe Errors

The program may analyze a variety of image problems related to thestrobe. For example, the strobe may be activated when it is too close toa subject, which results in over exposure of the subject. The strobe mayhave an exposure compensation associated with it which may be set so asto cause over exposure or under exposure of an image. In otherembodiments, the program may detect that an object blocked the strobeduring image capture. Various strobe anomalies are described below.

Strobe Used Beyond its Range

The intensity of light emitted by the strobe that is able to effectivelyilluminate a subject decreases rapidly with distance. Thus, the strobewill not be effective when it is used to illuminate scenes or objectsthat are far away so as to be out of the range of the strobe. Theeffective distance of the strobe is a function of the zoom and othercamera settings. In one embodiment, the camera analyzes the metadata todetermine if the strobe was activated when the image was captured. Themetadata or other data associated with an image may provide anindication as to the focal length of the camera when the image wascaptured. It follows that the zoom setting of the camera may bedetermined from the metadata or other data including the settings ofother camera functions stored in the metadata. This information willdetermine if the camera was focused beyond the effective range of thestrobe and may provide an indication as to the distance between thecamera and the scene or object at the time of image capture. It is notedthat other embodiments for measuring the distance between the camera anda scene or object may be used by the camera.

If a determination is made that the camera attempted to capture an imagebeyond the effective range of the strobe, the pixel values may beanalyzed to determine if the image is under exposed. This may beachieved as described above by analyzing the number of pixel values thatare at or below a predetermined value. If all the above-describedconditions are met, a determination is made that the image may be darkor under exposed because it was captured with the subject beyond theeffective range of the strobe. Text may be displayed indicating thereasons for the dark image. A suggestion may be provided that includesmoving the camera and the subject closer or turning off the strobe andusing a long exposure time. Other suggestions include increasing theexposure compensation of the strobe.

In other embodiments, the program may make the above-describedsuggestions if the program determines that other criteria are also met.For example, the program may require that the camera is in an automaticmode to select shutter speed. The program may also only display theabove-described information if the ISO was set to four-hundred.Furthermore, the program may require that the strobe be activated orfired at full power during image capture.

Strobe Too Close to the Subject

As described above, the intensity of light emitted by the strobe that isable to effectively illuminate the subject is proportional to thedistance between the camera and the subject. In some situations, thestrobe may be too close to the subject and may cause the subject to beover exposed. In order to determine the distance between the strobe andthe subject at the time the image was captured, the metadata may beanalyzed. If the zoom was set to focus on a close subject or if thecamera was set to a macro mode, it is assumed that the camera waslocated very close to the subject. It is noted that other methods may beused to determine the distance between the object or scene and thecamera. The zoom may also be analyzed to determine if the lens was setto a magnification that is below a preselected value. If theabove-described conditions are met, the camera may analyze the pixelvalues of the image to determine if a predetermined number of the pixelvalues are clipped or otherwise exceed a predetermined value. Asdescribed above, clipped pixel values are indicative of an over exposedimage.

If the above-described conditions are met, the camera may display textindicating that the image is likely over exposed. The camera may suggestturning the flash off or moving the camera away from the subject duringgeneration of subsequent image data.

In some embodiments, the program may require that other criteria be metbefore the above-described information is displayed. In one embodiment,the program may display the above-described information if the camerawas set to automatic shutter speed. In another embodiment, the programmay require that the exposure compensation be set to zero.

Image is Over Exposed Using the Strobe

In other embodiments, the program may determine that the image is overexposed and the object was not excessively close to the camera duringimage capture. The program may analyze the pixel values as describedabove and may determine that the strobe activated during image capture.Based on these findings, the program may suggest a plurality ofimprovements to the image quality.

In one embodiment, the program determines that the strobe activatedduring image capture and the image is over exposed. The program maysuggest turning off or deactivating the strobe during generation ofsubsequent image data. The program may analyze other settings of thecamera at the time of image capture to determine that other settings orparameters of the camera, such as ISO speed, did not cause the overexposure.

In other embodiments, the program may analyze a strobe exposurecompensation setting at the time of image capture. The value of thissetting may be stored in metadata associated with the image data. Theprogram may analyze the strobe exposure compensation. If the programdetermines that the strobe exposure compensation is too high, theprogram may suggest that the user use a lower value during generation ofsubsequent image data.

Under Exposed Image Using the Strobe

The program may analyze the metadata and other data to determine if theimage is possibly under exposed. In one embodiment, the program mayanalyze the image to determine if it is under exposed. If so, theprogram may suggest increasing the strobe exposure compensation.Embodiments of this include increasing the power output of the strobeand the pulse time of the strobe. In other embodiments, the program maysuggest using a wide angle lens, which may cause the aperture to openwider. In other embodiments, the program may suggest increasing theexposure compensation. For example, the program may suggest setting theexposure compensation to a positive value such as 0.3. In yet otherembodiments, the program may suggest moving closer to the subject andreducing the ISO speed. For example, the user may move the camera toapproximately 7.5 feet from the subject and setting the ISO speed to 100or an automatic mode. In some embodiments, the program may provide theabove-described information if the strobe activated at maximum power.The program may also require that the shutter speed be in automatic modeor that the ISO speed be 100 or less.

Strobe Used When the Camera is in Night Mode

The camera may have a mode that provides for capturing images capturedunder low light. This mode is sometimes referred to as night mode. Nightmode typically increases the exposure time of the image, which may causethe hand held limit to be met. The program may determine that the camerawas set to the night mode by analyzing the metadata. If the programdetermines that the camera was in night mode, the program may suggeststabilizing the camera to avoid blurring. The program may also causeinformation to be displayed indicating that the resulting image may beblurry.

In other embodiments, the program may cause the above-describedinformation to be displayed if the program determines that the strobeactivated, exposure time was greater than one sixtieth of a second,ambient light was low, or the camera focused.

Under Exposed Image Using Automatic Mode

In this analysis, the camera determines that the camera was set toautomatic mode, meaning that the processor within the camera determinedthe best strobe setting. However, the camera also determined that theimage is likely under exposed. In this analysis, the metadata determinesthat the camera was set in automatic mode and the strobe was activatedduring image capture. The pixel values are then analyzed as describedabove to determine if a predetermined number of pixel values are lessthan a predetermined number. More specifically, the image is analyzed todetermine if it is possibly under exposed.

If the above conditions are met, the camera may display text indicatingthat the image may be under exposed. For example, the text may indicatethat the strobe or flash likely did not provide adequate illuminationfor the ambient lighting conditions. The text may suggest overriding theautomatic mode and setting the exposure compensation to a positivevalue, which will increase the exposure time during image capture. Thus,subsequent images may not be under exposed.

Object Blocking Strobe During Image Capture

The following analysis determines whether an object, such as the fingerof the user, may have blocked the strobe during image capture. A blockedstrobe will result in an under exposed image. In one embodiment of thisanalysis, the metadata is analyzed to determine if the focus distanceused to capture the image was less than a predetermined distance, suchas one meter. In such a situation, the subject of the image should besufficiently illuminated so as not to generate an under exposed image.The metadata may also be analyzed to determine if the strobe wasactivated during image capture. If the above-described conditions aremet, the camera may analyze the image to determine if it is underexposed by greater than a preselected amount, such as one stop. In otherembodiments, the program may provide information to the user if noreflected light from the strobe is detected, indicating that the strobedid not illuminate the scene.

If the above-described conditions are met, the camera may display textindicating that the image was likely under exposed because an object,such as the finger of the user blocked the strobe. The text may suggestthat the strobe be clear during subsequent image captures. The text mayalso suggest checking to make sure that the strobe is functioning.

Strobe Activated in Proximity of a Reflective Surface

When an image is captured using the strobe and the image includes areflective surface, such as a window, the image may have a bright spotwhere the image of the reflected flash was captured. The method used toanalyze this condition may consist of analyzing the metadata todetermine whether the strobe was activated when the image was captured.Further analysis consists of determining whether the image has a brightspot. This analysis may be accomplished by analyzing the pixel values.If the pixel values indicate that a portion of the image is muchbrighter than other portions of the image, the camera may determine thatthe image contains a reflective surface. In some embodiments, theprogram may determine the intensity or amount of reflected strobe lightin the scene. If the scene contains intense strobe light, theinformation described herein may be displayed.

If the above-described conditions are met, the camera may display textindicating that the image may have a bright spot caused by imaging thereflected flash. Suggestions for overcoming this problem include turningthe flash off and imaging the reflective object at an angle so that theflash will not reflect directly back to the camera.

White Balance Errors

White balance errors, in summary, represent color variations due todifferent types of light sources illuminating a scene. For example, if ascene is illuminated with a flourescent ambient light, the colors in thescene have a specific temperature. The camera will then process theimage data based on the selected illumination source. If the selectedillumination source is not correct, the colors in the resulting imagemay be different than the scene illuminated with ambient light. Thiserror is sometimes referred to as a white balance error.

User Selects Improper Illumination Source

In some embodiments of the camera, the user may select the illuminationsource or source of ambient light. For example, the user may selecttungsten or flourescent lighting as the illumination source of the scenebeing captured. The camera may then capture an image and process imagedata based on the selected illumination source. If the camera is used tocapture images that are illuminated using a different illuminationsource than the selected light source, the images may be susceptible towhite balance errors.

The camera may analyze an image to determine if white balance errors mayexist. One embodiment of determining if possible white balance errorsexist is shown in the flowchart 450 of FIG. 10. At decision block 452, adetermination is made as to whether the image was captured using a userselected illumination source. More specifically, the camera determinesif the user provided information relating to the illumination sourceused to illuminate the captured scene. If the determination of decisionblock 452 is negative, processing proceeds to block 452 wherein theprocessing proceeds to the next analysis as described in the previousflowcharts.

If the determination of decision block 452 is affirmative, processingproceeds to decision block 458. At decision block 458, a determinationis made as to whether the image was captured using full color mode. Inthis embodiment, the analysis focuses on color, so the analysis onlyproceeds if the full color mode is selected. The determination as towhether an image was captured while the camera was in full color modemay be made by analyzing the metadata. There is no need to perform thisanalysis if the image is a black and white image.

If the determination of decision block 458 is affirmative, processingproceeds to block 460. At block 460, the preferred illumination sourceis calculated or otherwise determined by the camera. More specifically,the camera determines which illumination source it would have chosen hadthe user not selected the illumination source. The analysis may beaccomplished by analyzing the metadata and possibly other data todetermine the preferred illumination source had the camera been in anautomatic mode when the image was captured.

Processing then proceeds to decision block 462 where a determination ismade as to whether the selected illumination source and the preferredillumination source are the same. In other words, a determination ismade as to whether the camera would have selected the same illuminationsource as the user selected. If the camera would have selected the sameillumination source that the user did, processing proceeds to block 454as described above. In other words, there is no better choice for anillumination source than the one selected by the user and the processingcontinues to the next analysis.

If the illumination source selected by the user does not match theillumination source that the camera would have chosen, processingproceeds to block 464. Block 464 causes text to be displayed on thecamera that indicates the image may have problems due to white balanceerrors. The text may indicate the selected illumination source and thepreferred illumination source and may suggest changing the selectedillumination source to the preferred illumination source. The text mayalso suggest changing the camera settings so that the cameraautomatically chooses the illumination source when processing the imagedata.

Several embodiments may be used in the white balance analysis. Forexample, the camera may enable a user to select various illuminationsources from a list of illumination sources. The camera may assign acolor temperature to each illumination source in the list. In someembodiments, the color temperatures are a ranges of color temperatures.During image capture, the camera may analyze the image and select acolor temperature that it would use during processing.

The program may analyze the color temperature selected by the user andcompare it to the color temperature selected by the camera. If the colortemperature selected by the camera is the same or within a preselectedrange of the color temperature selected by the user, the analysis iscomplete and no suggestions are offered. If, on the other hand, thecolor temperature selected by the camera differs from the colortemperature selected by the user, the program may inform the user thatwhite balance problems may exist in the replicated image. The programindicate the color temperature selected by the camera. In anotherembodiment, the program may suggest a light source for the user toselect based on the color temperature selected by the camera duringsubsequent image capture.

Numerous embodiments exist for selection of color temperature. Forexample, the user may select a color temperature corresponding toflourescent lighting. The camera may determine that a color temperaturecorresponding to tungsten lighting should have been selected. If thedifference in color temperatures is greater than a preselectedthreshold, the program may suggest using the color temperaturecorresponding to tungsten lighting. As set forth above, the program mayalso provide information indicating that a white balance problem mayexist.

Enhancements

The metadata and other data may be used to provide the user with ways toimprove the image quality. The program may analyze the settings ordifferent camera parameters at the time of image capture and may providesuggestions for improving the image during subsequent image capture.

Portrait Mode Enhancements

Portrait mode is a mode that is typically used for capturing images ofpeople. The subjects are typically located in close proximity to thecamera and, thus, are usually within range of the strobe. It is notedthat there are many situations when the subject is out of range of thestrobe.

One embodiment for enhancements determines whether the image wascaptured using portrait mode. This determination may be made byexamining the metadata, which may store information relating to whetheror not the camera was set in portrait mode at the time of image capture.If the camera was not in portrait mode, this portion of the analysisconcludes because it is not applicable.

If a determination is made that the image was captured using portraitmode, a determination is made as to whether the strobe activated duringimage capture. The metadata may store information regarding whether ornot the strobe activated during image capture. Images captured inportrait mode typically have higher quality if they are captured usingthe strobe. In such a situation, the camera may analyze the image dataand determine that the strobe should have been activated. A message maybe displayed indicating that the image may be enhanced by use of thestrobe.

The camera may also determine whether a red eye elimination algorithmhas been run on the image data. Such an algorithm removes red eye inimages caused by capturing images of peoples' retinas. If such analgorithm did not run, the camera may suggest running such an algorithm.The red eye algorithm corrects the color of eyes. In one embodiment, thesuggestion to run the algorithm may be displayed if the image wascaptured in portrait mode and the strobe activated during image capture.

In other embodiments, the camera may analyze other image parametersbefore suggesting the use of the strobe during image capture. Forexample, the exposure compensation or exposure time may be analyzed. Asdescribed above, the exposure compensation or time used during imagecapture may be stored in the metadata. If the exposure compensation ishigh or the exposure time is long, the camera may suggest using thestrobe. The exposure time is typically selected by the camera.Therefore, if the exposure time is long, it is indicative of a dimly litscene, which may require the strobe.

The camera may also analyze the number of dark pixels in an image. Asdescribed above, dark pixels are pixel values that are below apredetermined value and represent dark portions of an image. A largenumber of dark pixel values of an image captured using portrait mode maybe indicative of an image having excessive shadows. Accordingly, theanalysis may indicate to the user that the subject of the image may haveundesired shadows. Therefore, the suggestions for an enhanced image mayinclude using the strobe or setting the ambient lighting conditions usedby the camera for image processing to a low light level.

The camera may also suggest using a low adaptive lighting setting. Thelow adaptive lighting setting reduces the effects of low light in thescene.

Too High Contrast in the Scene

The image data and the meta data may be analyzed to determine if thecontrast in the scene is high or greater than a predetermined value. Inone embodiment, the following analysis is not performed in panoramic orportrait modes. Images captured using the panoramic mode may have highcontrasts due to the nature of capturing panoramic images. Imagescaptured using the portrait mode may be subject to high contrast due tothe nature of capturing portrait images.

The number of dark and clipped pixels in various portions of the imagemay be analyzed to determine the contrast. For example, pixel values inthe center of the image may be analyzed to determine if they aregenerally greater than a predetermined value. Pixel values in otherregions of the image may be analyzed to determine if they are generallyless than a predetermined value. If a high number of pixel values areclipped and dark, the contrast may be too high. The camera may displayinformation suggesting setting the camera to lower ambient lighting as abasis for image processing, which may lower the contrast. In someembodiments, the program may suggest setting an adaptive lightingsetting lower so as to capture images that may be located in shadows inthe scene.

In other embodiments, the camera may analyze the metadata to determineif the subject is beyond the range of the strobe and if the camerafocused during image capture. These addition criteria may have to be metin order for the camera to display the above-described suggestions.

Conflicting Settings

As described above, the camera may have a plurality of settings that maybe automatic or may be set by a user. Problems may arise if userscapture images using manual settings that conflict with one another. Forexample, if contrast, sharpness, saturation, and adaptive lighting areall set high, the resulting image may appear unrealistic.

In one embodiment, the camera determines if the contrast, sharpness, andsaturation were all set high, or greater than preselected values, duringimage capture. In addition, the camera determines if the image wascaptured using a full color mode. All these settings may be stored inthe metadata. If all the above-described conditions are met, the cameramay display information indicating that the image may appearunrealistic. The program may display a suggestion of reducing at leastone of the contrast, sharpness, or saturation settings.

In a similar embodiment, the camera determines if the contrast,sharpness, and adaptive lighting were all set high, or greater thanpreselected values, during image capture. In addition, the cameradetermines if the image was captured using a full color mode. All thesesettings may be stored in the metadata. If all the above-describedconditions are met, the camera may display information indicating thatthe image may appear unrealistic. The program may display a suggestionof reducing at least one of the contrast, sharpness, or adaptivelighting.

In a similar embodiment, the camera determines if the contrast,saturation, and adaptive lighting were all set high, or greater thanpreselected values, during image capture. In addition, the cameradetermines if the image was captured using a full color mode. All thesesettings may be stored in the metadata. If all the above-describedconditions are met, the camera may display information indicating thatthe image may appear unrealistic. The program may display a suggestionof reducing at least one of the contrast, saturation, or adaptivelighting.

In a similar embodiment, the camera determines if the sharpness,saturation, and adaptive lighting were all set high, or greater thanpreselected values, during image capture. In addition, the cameradetermines if the image was captured using a full color mode. All thesesettings may be stored in the metadata. If all the above-describedconditions are met, the camera may display information indicating thatthe image may appear unrealistic. The program may display a suggestionof reducing at least one of the sharpness, saturation, or adaptivelighting.

In an embodiment related to the above-described analysis, theabove-described analysis may only be performed if the camera was infocus when the image was captured. If the camera was not in focus, theanalysis may have no bearing on the captured image. The determination asto whether the image was in focus may be made by analyzing the metadata,which may store data indicating whether the image was in focus.

ISO Speed and Adaptive Light Conflict

In one embodiment of the camera, the ISO speed and the adaptive lightingare analyzed to determine if a possible conflict existed during imagecapture. If the ISO speed is set above a preselected value and theadaptive lighting is also set above a preselected value, the camera maydisplay information indicating that the image quality may be poor. Forexample, the camera may indicate that the image may appear grainy orunrealistic because both the ISO speed and the adaptive lighting are setabove predetermined thresholds. The camera may also suggest loweringeither the ISO speed or the adaptive lighting setting.

In one embodiment, the predetermined value or threshold speed for theISO setting is 400 or gain greater than 29.0. The camera may suggestsetting either the ISO setting or the adaptive lighting to the defaultvalues or setting the camera so that the camera selects the values. Thecamera may also determine whether it was in focus during image capture.If the camera was not in focus, the poor image quality may be due tofocusing problems.

Camera is Too Hot

Like most electronic devices, the performance of a digital camera candeteriorate as it gets hot. For example, the CCD and the imageprocessing components may produce an image that is degraded when theyare operated above a predetermined temperature.

The camera may have a temperature sensor and may store the temperatureof the camera at the time images are captured. For example, thetemperature of the camera at the time of image capture may be stored inthe metadata. In one embodiment, the temperature threshold is fortydegrees centigrade. If the camera determines that the temperature isabove the threshold, the camera may display information indicating thatexcessive heat may have caused the image to be degraded. The camera mayfurther suggest cooling the camera down prior to capturing more images.Cooling may include turning off the display for a period prior tocapturing images.

In one embodiment, the program measures the temperature of a CCD or thelike that is used to generate image data. In another embodiment, thetemperature of the camera may be calculated by determining the timeperiod in which the display was active. Based on this calculation, theprogram may display the above-described information.

In a related embodiment, the program may analyze the adaptive lightingsetting to determine if the camera temperature was above a preselectedtemperature during image capture and the adaptive lighting was set high.If the above-described conditions are met, the program may displayinformation indicating that the image may be grainy or otherwise be poorquality. In order to improve subsequent images, the program may suggestreducing the adaptive lighting setting or turning it off. The programmay also suggest reducing the temperature of the camera.

Portrait Mode Using Wide Angle

As described above, the portrait mode is typically used to captureimages that are close to the camera. A wide angle setting of the lens,on the other hand, is typically used to capturing images or scenes overa wide angle, which are not close to the camera. Capturing an image inportrait mode while using a wide angle lens setting may distort theimage. The metadata may store information relating to the zoom settingand whether the camera was in wide angle mode during image capture.

The zoom setting and portrait mode may be determined by analyzing themetadata. The zoom setting can be compared to a predetermined value todetermine if the zoom setting was great enough to cause distortion inthe image. Likewise, the metadata may be analyzed to determine if theimage was captured using the portrait mode. If both these conditions aremet, the camera may display information indicating that the image may bedistorted. The camera may also suggest moving away from the subject andusing a narrower zoom setting.

Action Mode with Shutter Lag

The camera may have an action mode, which is used to capture scenescontaining moving subjects. Action mode typically includes a very fastshutter speed and other settings that enable the image of the subject tobe captured without blurring the image. The metadata may containinformation regarding whether an image was captured using action mode.One problem with capturing moving subjects is obtaining proper focus. Asthe subject moves, toward or away from the camera, the focal lengthchanges. In order to enhance an image, the camera may detect that animage was captured using the action mode. The camera may suggest settingthe focus at a point where the subject is expected to be during imagecapture. This will assure that the camera is properly focused duringimage capture.

In some embodiments, the camera may have a switch used to cause thecamera to capture an image, wherein the switch has multiple positions.The switch may have a first position when not force is applied. In thefirst position, the functions associated with the switch may beinactive. A second position of the switch may be reached by applying afirst force to the switch. The second position may cause the camera tofocus on the scene. It is noted that focusing is typically notinstantaneous and may require that the switch be maintained in thesecond position for a period. The third position of the switch may beachieved by applying a third force to the switch wherein the third forceis greater than the second force.

The camera or program may measure the time that the switch is in thesecond position. Thus, the program is able to determine whether thecamera likely achieved focus lock meaning that the camera was able tofocus on a scene. If the time that the switch was in the second positionwas shorter than a preselected time and the camera was in action mode,the program may display information indicating that the image may beblurry. The preselected period may, as an example, be approximately 1.5seconds. The program may also suggest maintaining the switch in thesecond position for a longer period during capture of subsequent images.

High Digital Zoom Resulting in Low Image Quality

The use of a digital zoom enables a camera user to enlarge a scene,however, the quality or resolution of the scene is degraded as a result.This degradation is more prominent when the user prints or otherwisedisplays an enlarged image. For example, if the user enlarges the sceneto print it on a large sheet of paper, the resolution and, thus, thequality, of the image will be degraded. If the printed image is toolarge, the quality of the image will be significantly deteriorated. Thedigital zoom setting used to capture an image may be stored in themetadata. During analysis, the camera may access the metadata todetermine the digital zoom setting and provide the user with informationregarding possible printing limitations of the image before degradationexceeds a predetermined threshold.

In one embodiment, the camera determines whether the resolution of thecaptured image is less than one thousand columns. More specifically, thecamera determines if less than one thousand columns of photodetectors onthe CCD were used to capture the image. The camera may then displayinformation indicating that the largest suggested image that may bereasonably replicated based on the image data is five inches by seveninches or thirteen centimeters by eighteen centimeters. The camera mayalso determine if less than eight hundred columns of photodetectors wereused to capture the image. The camera may then display informationindicating that the largest suggested image is four inches by six inchesor ten centimeters by fifteen centimeters. The camera may also determineif less than one six hundred columns of photodetectors were used tocapture the image. The camera may then display information indicatingthat the largest suggested image is three and one half inches by fiveinches or nine centimeters by thirteen centimeters.

Alternatively, the resolution used to capture an image may be increased.Therefore, the camera may suggest increasing the resolution, whichincreases the number of pixels used to capture an image. Therefore,larger images will be able to be replicated or displayed withoutdegradation.

In another embodiment, the camera may suggest eliminating the digitalzoom in favor of optical zoom.

1. A method of imaging an object, said method comprising: generatingimage data, using an imaging device, said generating having at least oneadjustable parameter associated therewith, said at least one firstadjustable parameter being set at a first value; analyzing said firstvalue of said at least one first adjustable parameter; and determining asecond value of said at least one adjustable parameter based on saidanalyzing.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said first value isassociated with said image data.
 3. The method of claim 1, and furthercomprising displaying information on said imaging device related tosetting said at least one adjustable parameter to said second value. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one adjustable parameter isexposure.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said analyzing comprisesanalyzing an aperture associated with said imaging device to determinewhether an image represented by said image data is over exposed.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said imaging device comprises an aperturehaving a first mode wherein the aperture size is setable by a user and asecond mode wherein said aperture size is setable by said imagingdevice; wherein said aperture size is an at least one adjustableparameter; wherein said image data comprises a plurality of pixelvalues; and wherein said method further comprises: determining whethersaid aperture size used during generation of said image data was set bya user; determining whether a preselected number of said pixel valuesexceed a preselected value; and wherein said determining a second valuecomprises determining that the size of said aperture should be reducedduring generation of subsequent image data if said preselected number ofpixel values exceeded said preselected value and said aperture size wasset by a user.
 7. The method of claim 6 and further comprisingdisplaying information suggesting using a smaller aperture size if saidpreselected number of pixel values exceeds said preselected value. 8.The method of claim 6 and further comprising displaying information onsaid imaging device indicating that an image represented by said imagedata may be over exposed.
 9. The method of claim 6 and furthercomprising displaying information indicating the approximate number ofstops that an image represented by said image data is over exposed ifsaid preselected number of pixel values exceeds said preselected value.10. The method of claim 6, wherein said determining whether saidpreselected number of said pixel values exceeds said preselected valuecorresponds to analyzing said pixel values to determine if an imagerepresented by said image data is over exposed by approximatelytwo-thirds stop or greater.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein saidanalyzing comprises analyzing an aperture associated with said imagingdevice to determine whether an image represented by said image data isunder exposed.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein said imaging devicecomprises an aperture having a first mode wherein the aperture size issetable by a user and a second mode wherein said aperture size issetable by said imaging device; wherein said aperture size is an atleast one adjustable parameter; wherein said image data comprises aplurality of pixel values; and wherein said method further comprises:determining whether said aperture size used during generation of saidimage data was set by a user; and analyzing said pixel values todetermine if a preselected number of said pixel values are less than apreselected value; wherein said determining a second value comprisesdetermining that the size of said aperture should be increased duringgeneration of subsequent image data if said preselected number of pixelvalues are less than said preselected value and said aperture sized usedduring generation of said image data was set by a user.
 13. The methodof claim 12 and further comprising displaying information on saidimaging device suggesting using a larger aperture size if saidpreselected number of pixel values are less than said preselected value.14. The method of claim 12 and further comprising displaying informationon said imaging device indicating that an image represented by saidimage data may be under exposed.
 15. The method of claim 12 and furthercomprising displaying information on said imaging device indicating theapproximate number of stops that an image represented by said image datais under exposed if said preselected number of photodetectors are lessthan said preselected value.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein saidanalyzing said pixel values to determine if a preselected number of saidpixel values are less than a preselected value corresponds to analyzingsaid pixel values to determine if an image represented by said imagedata is under exposed by one stop or greater.
 17. The method of claim 1,wherein said analyzing comprises analyzing a shutter speed associatedwith said imaging device to determine whether an image represented bysaid image data is over exposed.
 18. The method of claim 1, wherein saidimaging device comprises a shutter having a shutter speed associatedtherewith, said shutter having a first mode wherein said shutter speedis setable by a user and a second mode wherein said shutter speed issetable by said imaging device; wherein said shutter speed is an atleast one adjustable parameter; wherein said image data comprises aplurality of pixel values; and wherein said method further comprises:determining whether said shutter speed used during generation of saidimage data was set by a user; analyzing said pixel values to determineif a preselected number of said pixel values exceed a preselected value;and wherein said determining a second value comprises determining thatthe speed of said shutter should be increased during generation ofsubsequent image data if said preselected number of pixel values exceedsaid preselected value and said shutter speed used during the generationof said image data was set by a user.
 19. The method of claim 18 andfurther comprising displaying information on said imaging devicesuggesting using a faster shutter speed if said preselected number ofpixel values exceed said preselected value.
 20. The method of claim 18and further comprising displaying information on said imaging deviceindicating that an image represented by said image data may beoverexposed.
 21. The method of claim 18, wherein said analyzing saidpixel values to determine if a preselected number of said pixel valuesexceed said preselected value corresponds to analyzing said pixel valuesto determine if an image represented by said image data is over exposedby approximately one stop or greater.
 22. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid analyzing comprises analyzing a shutter speed associated with saidimaging device to determine whether an image represented by said imagedata is under exposed.
 23. The method of claim 1, wherein said imagingdevice comprises a shutter having a shutter speed associated therewith,said shutter having a first mode wherein said shutter speed is setableby a user and a second mode wherein said shutter speed is setable bysaid imaging device; wherein said shutter speed is an at least oneadjustable parameter; wherein said image data comprises a plurality ofpixel values; and wherein said method further comprises: determiningwhether said shutter speed used during generation of said image data wasset by a user; analyzing said pixel values to determine if a preselectednumber of said pixel values are less than a preselected value; andwherein said determining a second value comprises determining that thespeed of said shutter should be decreased during generation ofsubsequent image data if said preselected number of pixel values areless than said preselected value and said shutter speed used during thegeneration of said image data was set by a user.
 24. The method of claim23 and further comprising displaying information on said imaging devicesuggesting using a slower shutter speed if said preselected number ofpixel values are less than said preselected value.
 25. The method ofclaim 23 and further comprising displaying information on said imagingdevice indicating that an image represented by said image data may beunder exposed.
 26. The method of claim 23, wherein said analyzing saidpixel values to determine if a preselected number of said pixel valuesare less than said preselected value corresponds to analyzing said pixelvalues to determine if the image represented by said image data is underexposed by approximately one stop or greater.
 27. The method of claim 1,wherein said analyzing comprises analyzing a shutter speed and anaperture size associated with said imaging device to determine whetheran image represented by said image data is under exposed.
 28. The methodof claim 1, wherein said imaging device comprises a shutter having ashutter speed associated therewith, said shutter having a first modewherein said shutter speed is setable by a user and a second modewherein said shutter speed is setable by said imaging device; whereinsaid shutter speed is an at least one adjustable parameter; said imagingdevice further comprising an aperture having a first mode wherein theaperture size is setable by a user and a second mode wherein saidaperture size is setable by said imaging device; wherein said aperturesize is an at least one adjustable parameter; wherein said image datacomprises a plurality of pixel values; and wherein said method furthercomprises: determining whether said shutter speed used during generationof said image data was set by a user; determining whether said aperturesize used during generation of said image data was set by a user;analyzing said pixel values to determine if a preselected number of saidpixel values are less than a preselected value; wherein said determininga second value comprises determining that said aperture size should beincreased during generation of subsequent image data if said aperturesize is less than a preselected value based on said shutter speed andsaid aperture size was set by a user, if said shutter speed was set by auser, and if said predetermined number of said pixel values are lessthan said preselected value.
 29. The method of claim 28 and furthercomprising displaying information on said imaging device indicating thatan image represented by said image data may be under exposed.
 30. Themethod of claim 28 and further comprising displaying information on saidimaging device indicating that said aperture size should be increasedduring generation of subsequent image data.
 31. The method of claim 1,wherein said analyzing comprises analyzing a shutter speed and anaperture size associated with said imaging device to determine whetheran image represented by said image data is over exposed.
 32. The methodof claim 1, wherein said imaging device comprises a shutter having ashutter speed associated therewith, said shutter having a first modewherein said shutter speed is setable by a user and a second modewherein said shutter speed is setable by said imaging device; whereinsaid shutter speed is an at least one adjustable parameter; said imagingdevice further comprising an aperture having a first mode wherein theaperture size is setable by a user and a second mode wherein saidaperture size is setable by said imaging device; wherein said aperturesize is an at least one adjustable parameter; and wherein said imagedata comprises a plurality of pixel values; and wherein said methodfurther comprises: determining whether said shutter speed used duringgeneration of said image data was set by a user; determining whethersaid aperture size used during generation of said image data was set bya user; analyzing said pixel values to determine if a preselected numberof said pixel values exceed a preselected value; wherein saiddetermining a second value comprises determining that said aperture sizeshould be reduced during generation of subsequent image data if saidaperture size was set by a user and is greater than a preselected valuebased on said shutter speed, if said shutter speed was set by a user andif said preselected number of said pixel values exceed said preselectedvalue.
 33. The method of claim 32 and further comprising displayinginformation on said imaging device indicating that an image representedby said image data may be under exposed.
 34. The method of claim 32 andfurther comprising displaying information on said imaging deviceindicating that said aperture size should be increased during generationof subsequent image data.
 35. The method of claim 1, wherein saidimaging device comprises a shutter having a shutter speed associatedtherewith, said shutter having a first mode wherein said shutter speedis setable by a user and a second mode wherein said shutter speed issetable by said imaging device; wherein said shutter speed is an atleast one adjustable parameter; said imaging device further comprisingan aperture having a first mode wherein the aperture size is setable bya user and a second mode wherein said aperture size is setable by saidimaging device; wherein said aperture size is an at least one adjustableparameter; and wherein said image data comprises a plurality of pixelvalues; and wherein said method further comprises: determining whethersaid shutter speed used during generation of said image data was set bya user; determining whether said aperture size used during generation ofsaid image data was set by a user; analyzing said pixel values todetermine if a preselected number of said pixel values are less than apreselected value; wherein said determining a second value comprisesdetermining that said shutter speed should be reduced during generationof subsequent image data if said shutter speed is faster than apreselected value based on said aperture size, if said shutter speed andsaid aperture size were set by a user; and if said preselected number ofpixel values are less than said preselected value.
 36. The method ofclaim 35 and further comprising displaying information on said imagingdevice indicating that an image represented by said image data may beunder exposed.
 37. The method of claim 35 and further comprisingdisplaying information on said imaging device indicating that saidshutter speed should be reduced during generation of subsequent imagedata.
 38. The method of claim 1, wherein said imaging device comprises ashutter having a shutter speed associated therewith, said shutter havinga first mode wherein said shutter speed is setable by a user and asecond mode wherein said shutter speed is setable automatically by saidimaging device; wherein said shutter speed is said at least oneadjustable parameter; said imaging device further comprising an aperturehaving a first mode wherein the aperture size is setable by a user and asecond mode wherein said aperture size is setable automatically by saidimaging device; wherein said aperture size is said at least oneadjustable parameter; and wherein said image data comprises a pluralityof pixel values; and wherein said method further comprises: determiningwhether said shutter speed used during generation of said image data wasset by a user; determining whether said aperture size used duringgeneration of said image data was set by a user; analyzing said pixelvalues to determine if a preselected number of said pixel values exceeda preselected value; wherein said determining a second value comprisesdetermining that said shutter speed should be increased duringgeneration of subsequent image data if said shutter speed is less than apreselected value based on said aperture size, if said preselectednumber of pixel values exceed said preselected value, and if saidshutter speed and said aperture size were set by a user.
 39. The methodof claim 38 and further comprising displaying information on saidimaging device indicating that an image represented by said image datamay be over exposed.
 40. The method of claim 38 and further comprisingdisplaying information on said imaging device indicating that saidshutter speed should be increased during generation of subsequent imagedata.
 41. The method of claim 1, wherein said analyzing comprisesanalyzing a plurality of shutter speeds and at least one exposurecompensation associated with said imaging device to determine whether aplurality of images represented by said image require more exposure. 42.The method of claim 1, wherein said generating image data comprisesgenerating image data representative of a plurality of images, saidgenerating being accomplished within a preselected period; wherein saidimaging device comprises a shutter speed associated therewith andwherein said images are captured using shutter speeds between a firstshutter speed and a second shutter speed; wherein said imaging devicecomprises an adjustable exposure compensation, said exposurecompensation being an at least one adjustable parameter; wherein saidmethod further comprises: analyzing pixel values representative of saidplurality of images; wherein said determining a second value comprisesdetermining that a greater exposure compensation should be used duringgeneration of subsequent image data if a preselected number of saidpixel values are less than a preselected value.
 43. The method of claim42, wherein said determining a second value comprises determining thatgreater exposure compensation should be used during generation ofcapture of subsequent images if said image is over exposed by an amountequal to or greater than approximately three stops.
 44. The method ofclaim 42 and further comprising displaying information on said imagingdevice indicating that more greater exposure compensation may bedesired.
 45. The method of claim 42 and further comprising displayinginformation on said imaging device indicating that a greater exposurecompensation may be used during generation of subsequent image data. 46.The method of claim 1, wherein said analyzing comprises analyzing aplurality of shutter speeds and at least one exposure compensationassociated with said imaging device to determine whether a plurality ofimages represented by said image require less exposure.
 47. The methodof claim 1, wherein said generating image data comprises generatingimage data representative of a plurality of images, said generatingbeing accomplished within a preselected period; wherein said imagingdevice comprises a shutter speed associated therewith and wherein saidimages are captured using shutter speeds between a first shutter speedand a second shutter speed; wherein said imaging device comprises andexposure compensation, said exposure compensation being said at leastone adjustable parameter; wherein said method further comprises:analyzing pixel values representative of said plurality of images;wherein said determining a second value comprises determining that areduced exposure compensation should be used if a preselected number ofsaid pixel values are greater than a preselected value.
 48. The methodof claim 47, wherein said determining a second value comprisesdetermining that a reduced exposure compensation should be used duringgeneration of subsequent image data if the image is under exposed by anamount equal to or less than approximately three stops.
 49. The methodof claim 47 and further comprising displaying information on saidimaging device indicating that more under exposure may be desired duringgeneration of subsequent image data.
 50. The method of claim 47 andfurther comprising displaying information on said imaging deviceindicating that a reduced exposure compensation may be used duringgeneration of subsequent image data.
 51. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid analyzing comprises analyzing at least one shutter speed associatedwith said imaging device to determine whether an image represented bysaid image data is over exposed.
 52. The method of claim 1, wherein saidimaging device, wherein said generating image data comprises generatingimage data representative of a plurality of images, said generatingbeing accomplished within a preselected period; wherein said imagingdevice has a shutter speed associated therewith and wherein said imagesare captured using shutter speeds between a first shutter speed and asecond shutter speed; wherein said shutter speed is an at least oneadjustable parameter; wherein said method further comprises: analyzingpixel values representative of said image; wherein said determining asecond value comprises determining a faster first shutter speed or afaster second shutter speed for generation of subsequent image data if apreselected number of said pixel values representative of one of saidplurality of images are greater than a preselected value.
 53. The methodof claim 52 and further comprising displaying information on saidimaging device indicating that an image represented by said image datamay be overexposed.
 54. The method of claim 52 and further comprisingdisplaying information on said imaging device indicating that a fasterfirst shutter speed may be used during generation of subsequent imagedata.
 55. The method of claim 52 and further comprising displayinginformation on said imaging device indicating that a faster secondshutter speed may be used during generation of subsequent image data.56. The method of claim 1, wherein said analyzing comprises analyzing atleast one shutter speed associated with said imaging device to determinewhether an image represented by said image data is under exposed. 57.The method of claim 1, wherein said imaging device, wherein saidgenerating image data comprises generating image data representative ofa plurality of images, said generating being accomplished within apreselected period; wherein said imaging device has a shutter speedassociated therewith and wherein said images are captured using shutterspeeds between a first shutter speed and a second shutter speed; whereinsaid shutter speed is said at least one adjustable parameter; whereinsaid method further comprises: analyzing pixel values representative ofsaid image; wherein said determining a second value comprisesdetermining a slower first shutter speed or a slower second shutterspeed for generation of subsequent image data if a preselected number ofsaid pixel values representative of one of said plurality of images areless than a preselected value.
 58. The method of claim 57 and furthercomprising displaying information on said imaging device indicating thatan image represented by said image data may be underexposed.
 59. Themethod of claim 57 and further comprising displaying information on saidimaging device indicating that a slower first shutter speed may be usedduring generation of subsequent image data.
 60. The method of claim 57and further comprising displaying information on said imaging deviceindicating that a slower second shutter speed may be used duringgeneration of subsequent image data.
 61. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid generating comprises generating image data representative of aplurality of images and wherein said analyzing comprises analyzing thestatus of a strobe associated with said imaging device during generationof said image data to determine whether one or more of said images maybe blurry.
 62. The method of claim 1, wherein said generating image datacomprises generating image data representative of a plurality of images,said generating being accomplished within a preselected period; whereinsaid imaging device has a shutter speed associated therewith and whereinsaid images are captured using shutter speeds between a first shutterspeed and a second shutter speed; wherein said shutter speed is an atleast one adjustable parameter; wherein said method further comprises:determining whether a strobe associated with said imaging deviceactivated during capture of at least one of said images and did notactivate during capture of at least one of said images; wherein saiddetermining a second value comprises determining that said strobeactivate during capture of all images or not active during capture ofall images, during a subsequent period if said strobe activated duringcapture of at least one of said images and did not activate duringcapture of at least one of said images.
 63. The method of claim 62 andfurther displaying information on said imaging device that at least oneof said images may be blurry.
 64. The method of claim 62 and furthercomprising displaying an indication on said imaging device, wherein saidindication comprises a message that one of said plurality of images maybe blurry.
 65. The method of claim 62, and further comprising:calculating a hand held limit, said hand held limit being based, atleast in part, on a zoom setting and exposure time of said camera duringimage capture; and providing an indication on said imaging device thatone of said plurality of images may have poor quality if said hand heldlimit has been exceeded.
 66. The method of claim 64 and furthercomprising displaying an indication on said imaging device suggestingstabilizing said imaging device during a subsequent period in whichimages are captured.
 67. The method of claim 1, wherein said analyzingcomprises analyzing an exposure compensation setting associated withsaid imaging device to determine whether an image represented by saidimage data is over exposed.
 68. The method of claim 1, wherein exposurecompensation is an at least one adjustable parameter; wherein said imagedata comprises a plurality of pixel values; wherein said method furthercomprises determining whether a preselected number of pixel valuesexceed a preselected value; and wherein said determining a second valuecomprise determining a lower exposure compensation associated with thegeneration of subsequent image data if said preselected number of pixelvalues exceed said preselected value.
 69. The method of claim 68,wherein said whether a preselected number of pixel values exceed apreselected value comprises determining whether said exposurecompensation corresponds to an exposure compensation greater than 0.6.70. The method of claim 68 and further comprising displaying informationon said imaging device suggesting reducing said exposure compensationassociated with the generation of subsequent image data.
 71. The methodof claim 68 and further comprising displaying information on saidimaging device indicating that an image represented by said image datamay be over exposed.
 72. The method of claim 1, wherein said analyzingcomprises analyzing an exposure compensation setting associated withsaid imaging device to determine whether an image represented by saidimage data is under exposed.
 73. The method of claim 1, wherein exposurecompensation is an at least one adjustable parameter; wherein said imagedata comprises a plurality of pixel values; wherein said method furthercomprises determining whether a preselected number of pixel values areless than a preselected value; and wherein said determining a secondvalue comprise determining a greater exposure compensation associatedwith the generation of subsequent image data if said preselected numberof pixel values are less than said preselected value.
 74. The method ofclaim 73, wherein said whether a preselected number of pixel valuesexceed a preselected value comprises determining whether the exposurecompensation corresponds to an exposure compensation less than negative0.6.
 75. The method of claim 73 and further comprising displayinginformation on said imaging device suggesting reducing said exposurecompensation.
 76. The method of claim 73 and further comprisingdisplaying information on said imaging device indicating that an imagerepresented by said image data may be under exposed.
 77. The method ofclaim 73, wherein said imaging device further comprises a strobe, andwherein said determining a second value further comprises determining agreater exposure compensation associated with the generation ofsubsequent image data if said preselected number of pixel values areless than said preselected value and if said if said strobe activatedduring generation of said image data.
 78. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid analyzing comprises analyzing the power output of a strobe usedduring the generation of said image data to determine whether an imagerepresented by said image data is under exposed.
 79. The method of claim1, wherein said imaging device comprises a strobe; wherein said imagingdevice has an exposure compensation associated therewith, said exposurecompensation being an at least one adjustable parameter; wherein saidmethod further comprises: analyzing pixel values associated with saidimage data to determine whether a preselected number of pixel values areless than a preselected value; determining whether said strobe activatedduring generation of said image data; determining the power output ofsaid strobe during said generation of image data; wherein saiddetermining a second value comprises determining that exposurecompensation should be increased during generation of subsequent imagedata if said preselected number of pixel values were less than a saidpreselected value and said power output of said strobe was less than apreselected power.
 80. The method of claim 78 and further displayinginformation on said imaging device that an image represented by saidimage data may be under exposed.
 81. The method of claim 78 and furthercomprising displaying information on said imaging device suggestingincreasing said exposure compensation during generation of subsequentimage data.
 82. The method of claim 1, wherein the generation of imagedata comprises sampling a portion of an image represented by said imagedata to determine at least one setting to be applied to the remainder ofsaid image, said analyzing comprising analyzing said portion of saidimage to determine whether another portion should be used duringgeneration of subsequent image data.
 83. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid generating image data further comprises sampling a preselectedportion of said image and wherein exposure is based on said sampling,said portion of said image that is sampled being an at least oneadjustable parameter; and further comprising determining whether theexposure of said image is out of a preselected range; and wherein saiddetermining a second value of said at least one adjustable parametercomprises determining another portion of said image to be sampled inassociation with generating subsequent image data.
 84. The method ofclaim 83, wherein said determining a second value comprises sampling alarger area of said image.
 85. The method of claim 83, wherein saiddetermining a second value comprises determining a second portion ofsaid image to be sampled, said second portion not including the previousportion.
 86. The method of claim 83, wherein said determining whether anexposure is out of a preselected range comprises determining whether thevalues of a preselected number of pixels values representative of saidimage are greater than a preselected value.
 87. The method of claim 83,wherein said determining whether an exposure is out of a preselectedrange comprises determining whether the values of a preselected numberof pixels values representative of said image are less than apreselected value.
 88. The method of claim 83 and further comprisingdisplaying information on said imaging device indicating that an imagerepresented by said image data may be improperly exposed.
 89. The methodof claim 83 and further comprising displaying information on saidimaging device suggesting correcting exposure errors during generationof subsequent image data.
 90. The method of claim 1, wherein saidanalyzing comprises analyzing a shutter speed associated with saidimaging device and pixel values associated with said image data todetermine whether an image represented by said image data is underexposed.
 91. The method of claim 1, wherein said imaging devicecomprises an ISO speed associated therewith, said ISO speed being an atleast one adjustable parameter; said method further comprisingdetermining whether a preselected number of pixel values representativeof said image are less than a preselected value; and wherein saiddetermining a second value comprises determining a slower ISO speed ifsaid preselected number of pixel values are less than a preselectedvalue.
 92. The method of claim 91 and further displaying information onsaid imaging device that an image represented by said image data may beunder exposed.
 93. The method of claim 91 and further comprisingdisplaying information on said imaging device suggesting reducing saidISO speed during generation of subsequent image data.
 94. The method ofclaim 91, wherein said imaging device comprises a zoom, said zoom beingan at least one adjustable parameter; wherein said method furthercomprises determining a wider zoom if said preselected number of pixelvalues are less than a preselected value and said imaging device doesnot comprise said slower ISO speed.
 95. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid imaging device comprises a zoom having a zoom setting associatedtherewith, said zoom setting being an at least one adjustable parameter;said method further comprising determining whether a preselected numberof pixel values representative of said image are less than a preselectedvalue; and wherein said determining a second value comprises determininga wider zoom setting if said preselected number of pixel values are lessthan a preselected value.
 96. The method of claim 95 and furtherdisplaying information on said imaging device that an image representedby said image data may be under exposed.
 97. The method of claim 95 andfurther comprising displaying information on said imaging devicesuggesting using a wider zoom during generation of subsequent imagedata.
 98. The method of claim 1, wherein said analyzing comprisesanalyzing a strobe exposure compensation associated with said imagingdevice to determine whether an image represented by said image data isunder exposed.
 99. The method of claim 1, wherein said imaging devicecomprises a strobe, said strobe having a strobe exposure compensationassociated therewith; said strobe exposure compensation being an atleast one adjustable parameter; said method further comprising:determining whether a preselected number of pixel values comprising saidimage data are less than a preselected value; wherein said determining asecond value comprises determining a greater strobe exposurecompensation during generation of subsequent image data if saidpreselected number of pixel values comprising said image data are lessthan said preselected value.
 100. The method of claim 99 and furthercomprising displaying text on said imaging device indicating that animage representative of said image data may be under exposed.
 101. Themethod of claim 99 and further comprising displaying text on saidimaging device suggesting using a greater strobe exposure compensationduring generation of subsequent image data.
 102. The method of claim 1,wherein said analyzing comprises analyzing a strobe exposurecompensation associated with said imaging device to determine whether animage represented by said image data is over exposed.
 103. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said imaging device comprises a strobe, said strobehaving a strobe exposure compensation associated therewith; said strobeexposure compensation being an at least one adjustable parameter; saidmethod further comprising: determining whether a preselected number ofpixel values comprising said image data are greater than a preselectedvalue; wherein said determining a second value comprises determining alower strobe exposure compensation if said preselected number of pixelvalues comprising said image data are greater than said preselectedvalue.
 104. The method of claim 103 and further comprising displayingtext on said imaging device indicating that an image representative ofsaid image data may be under exposed.
 105. The method of claim 103 andfurther comprising displaying text on said imaging device suggestingusing a lower strobe exposure compensation during generation ofsubsequent image data.
 106. The method of claim 1, wherein saidanalyzing comprises analyzing the exposure compensation associated withsaid generating based on the distance between a scene and said imagingdevice to determine whether an image represented by said image data isunder exposed.
 107. The method of claim 1, wherein said imaging devicecomprises a strobe, and an exposure compensation; said exposurecompensation being an at least one adjustable parameter; said methodfurther comprising: determining the distance between said imaging deviceand an object to which said image data was generated during thegeneration of said image data; determining the exposure compensationused during generation of said image data; determining whether saiddistance was greater than a preselected distance; wherein saiddetermining a second value comprises determining a greater exposurecompensation if said distance was greater than said preselected distanceand said exposure compensation was less than a preselected value. 108.The method of claim 107 and further comprising displaying information onsaid imaging device indicating that an image representative of saidimage data may be under exposed.
 109. The method of claim 107 andfurther comprising displaying text on said imaging device suggestingusing a greater exposure compensation during generation of subsequentimage data.
 110. The method of claim 1, wherein said analyzing comprisesanalyzing the ISO speed associated with said generating said image databased on the distance between a scene and said imaging device todetermine whether an image represented by said image data is underexposed.
 111. The method of claim 1, wherein said imaging devicecomprises a strobe and an ISO speed associate with said generating; saidISO speed being an at least one adjustable parameter; said methodfurther comprising: determining the distance between said imaging deviceand an object to which said image data was generated during thegeneration of said image data; determining the ISO speed used duringgeneration of said image data; determining whether said distance wasgreater than a preselected distance; wherein said determining a secondvalue comprises determining a faster ISO speed if said ISO speed usedduring generation of image data was less than a preselected speed, saiddistance was greater than said preselected distance and said strobeactivated during generation of image data.
 112. The method of claim 111and further comprising displaying text on said imaging device indicatingthat an image representative of said image data may be under exposed.113. The method of claim 111 and further comprising displaying text onsaid imaging device suggesting using a faster ISO speed time duringgeneration of subsequent image data.
 114. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid analyzing comprises analyzing the distance between an object ofwhich image data was generated and said imaging device to determinewhether an image represented by said image data is under exposed if astrobe associated with said imaging device activated during generationof said image data.
 115. The method of claim 1, wherein said imagingdevice comprises a strobe; said strobe having a first setting whereinsaid strobe activates during image capture and a second setting whereinsaid strobe does not activate during image capture; wherein a distancebetween an object to which image data is being generated and saidimaging device is an at least one adjustable parameter; and where saidmethod further comprises: determining if said strobe activated duringsaid image capture; determining said distance between said object andsaid imaging device during generation of said image data; determining ifsaid distance exceeds a preselected distance; and determining that ashorter distance should be used during subsequent image data generationif said strobe activated and said distance exceeded said preselecteddistance.
 116. The method of claim 115 and further comprising displayinginformation on said imaging device indicating that an imagerepresentative of said image data may be under exposed.
 117. The methodof claim 62 and further comprising displaying information on saidimaging device suggesting that the distance between an object beingimaged and the imaging device should be reduced during generation ofsubsequent image data.
 118. The method of claim 1, wherein saidanalyzing comprises analyzing the intensity of a strobe associated withsaid imaging device during generation of said image data to determinewhether an image represented by said image data is over exposed. 119.The method of claim 1, wherein said camera comprises a strobe; saidstrobe having a first setting wherein said strobe activates during imagecapture and a second setting wherein said strobe does not activateduring image capture; wherein an at least one adjustable parameter issaid strobe setting; and wherein method further comprises: determiningif said strobe activated during generation of said image data;determining whether an image represented by said image data is exposedgreater than a preselected amount; wherein said determining a secondvalue comprises determining that said strobe should not activate duringgeneration of subsequent image data if said strobe activated duringgeneration of said image data and image represented by said image datais exposed greater than said preselected amount.
 120. The method ofclaim 119 and further comprising displaying information on said imagingdevice indicating that an image representative of said image data may beover exposed.
 121. The method of claim 119 and further comprisingdisplaying information on said imaging device suggesting inactivatingsaid strobe during generation of subsequent image data.
 122. The methodof claim 1, wherein said camera comprises a strobe; said strobe having astrobe exposure compensation associated therewith; wherein an at leastone adjustable parameter is said strobe exposure compensation; andwherein said method further comprises: determining said strobe exposurecompensation during generation of said image data; determining whetheran image represented by said image data is exposed greater than apreselected amount; wherein said determining a second value comprisesdetermining that said strobe exposure compensation should be reduced ifan image represented by said image data is exposed greater than saidpreselected amount.
 123. The method of claim 122 and further comprisingdisplaying information on said imaging device indicating that an imagerepresentative of said image data may be over exposed.
 124. The methodof claim 122 and further comprising displaying information on saidimaging device suggesting reducing said strobe exposure compensationduring generation of subsequent image data.
 125. The method of claim 1,wherein said camera comprises a strobe; said strobe having a firstsetting wherein said strobe activates during image capture and a secondsetting wherein said strobe does not activate during image capture;wherein an at least one adjustable parameter is said strobe setting; andwherein method further comprises: determining if said strobe activatedduring generation of said image data; determining a distance between anobject to which image data is being generated and said imaging device;wherein said determining a second value comprises determining that saidstrobe should not activate during generation of subsequent image data ifsaid strobe activated during generation of said image data and saiddistance is less a preselected value.
 126. The method of claim 125 andfurther comprising displaying information on said imaging deviceindicating that an image representative of said image data may be overexposed.
 127. The method of claim 125 and further comprising displayinginformation on said imaging device suggesting inactivating said strobeduring generation of subsequent image data.
 128. The method of claim 1,wherein said analyzing comprises analyzing the distance between a sceneand said imaging device during generation of said image data anddetermining whether a strobe associated with said imaging deviceactivated during generation of said image data to determine whether animage data represented by said image data is over exposed.
 129. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said camera comprises a strobe; said strobehaving a first setting wherein said strobe activates during generationof image data and a second setting wherein said strobe does not activateduring generation of image data; wherein a distance between an object towhich image data is being generated and said imaging device is an atleast one adjustable parameter; and where said method further comprises:determining if said strobe activated during generation of said imagedata; determining a first distance between said object and said imagingdevice at the time of said generating; wherein said determining a secondvalue comprises determining second distance during generation ofsubsequent image data, said second distance being greater than saidfirst distance, if said first distance is less than a preselected valueand said strobe activated during said generating.
 130. The method ofclaim 129 and further comprising displaying information on said imagingdevice indicating that an image representative of said image data may beover exposed.
 131. The method of claim 129 and further comprisingdisplaying information on said imaging device suggesting increasing saiddistance during generation of subsequent image data.
 132. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said analyzing comprises determining whether a strobeassociated with said imaging device activated during generation of saidimage data and determining the exposure time associated with saidgenerating to determine whether an image represented by said image datais blurry.
 133. The method of claim 1, wherein said camera comprises astrobe; said strobe having a first setting wherein said strobe activatesduring image capture and a second setting wherein said strobe does notactivate during image capture; wherein the stability of said imagingdevice during image data generation is an at least on adjustableparameter; and where said method further comprises: determining if saidstrobe activated during generation of said image data; determining theexposure time of said generating; wherein said determining a secondvalue comprises determining that a greater stability of said imagingdevice may be used during generation of subsequent image data.
 134. Themethod of claim 133 and further comprising displaying information onsaid imaging device indicating that an image representative of saidimage data may be blurry.
 135. The method of claim 133 and furthercomprising displaying information on said imaging device suggestingincreasing said stability of said imaging device during generation ofsubsequent image data.
 136. The method of claim 1, wherein saidanalyzing comprises analyzing return strobe light to determine whether astrobe associated with said imaging device was blocked during generationof said image data.
 137. The method of claim 1, wherein said imagingdevice comprises a strobe; said at least one adjustable parameter beingclearance between said strobe and an object of which image data wasgenerated, said method further comprising: determining whether saidobject was within a predetermined distance from said strobe duringgeneration of said image data; determining whether said image dataincludes less than a preselected amount of return light from saidstrobe; wherein said determining a second value of said at least oneadjustable parameter comprises determining that an obstruction islocated between said strobe and said object if said object was withinsaid preselected distance from said strobe during generation of saidimage data and said image data includes less than said preselectedamount of return light from said strobe.
 138. The method of claim 137and further comprising displaying information on said imaging deviceindicating that an obstruction exists between said strobe and saidobject.
 139. The method of claim 1, wherein said imaging devicecomprises a strobe, said at least one adjustable parameter beingreflectivity of a scene in which said image data was generated, saidmethod further comprising: determining whether said strobe activatedduring generation of said image data; determining whether an imagerepresented by said image data includes a portion that is brighter by apredetermined amount than at least one other portion of said image, saidbrighter portion including light reflected from said strobe; whereinsaid determining a second value comprises determining that saidreflectivity of said scene should be reduced during generation ofsubsequent image data.
 140. The method of claim 139 and furthercomprising displaying information on said imaging device indicating thatsaid image may include a reflection of said strobe.
 141. The method ofclaim 139 and further comprising displaying information on said imagingdevice suggesting reducing the reflectivity of said scene duringgeneration of subsequent image data.
 142. The method of claim 79 andfurther comprising displaying information on said imaging devicesuggesting generating subsequent image data at an angle relative toreflective objects in said scene.
 143. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid analyzing comprises analyzing a color temperature setting todetermine whether another color temperature setting should be usedduring generation of subsequent image data.
 144. The method of claim 1,wherein a user selects a first color temperature associated with a lightsource that illuminates a scene during generation of said image data;and wherein an at least one parameter is the selection of said colortemperature; said method further comprising: processing said image databased, at least in part, on said first color temperature; determining asecond color temperature associated with light source illuminating saidscene during generation of said image data, wherein said imaging deviceselects said second color temperature; comparing said first colortemperature to said second color temperature; wherein said determining asecond value of said at least one adjustable parameter comprisesselecting said second color temperature as a basis for processing ofsubsequently generated image data if said first color temperature isdifferent than said second color temperature.
 145. The method of claim144 and further comprising displaying information on said imaging deviceindicating said second color temperature.
 146. The method of claim 144,wherein said determining said second color temperature comprisesanalyzing ambient light during said generating.
 147. The method of claim1, wherein said imaging device comprises a strobe; wherein the stabilityof said imaging device during said generation of image data is an atleast one adjustable parameter; said method further comprising:determining if said strobe activated during said generation of imagedata; determining the shutter speed during said generation of imagedata; wherein said determining a second value comprises determining thatthe stability of said imaging device relative an object of which imagedata was generated should be increased during generation of subsequentimage data if said strobe did not activate during said generation andsaid shutter speed was slower than a preselected exposure time.
 148. Themethod of claim 147, and further comprising displaying information onsaid imaging device indicating that an image represented by said imagedata may be blurry.
 149. The method of claim 117, and further comprisingdisplaying information on said imaging device indicating that thestability of said imaging device may be increased during said generationof subsequent image data.
 150. The method of claim 1, wherein saidimaging device comprises a strobe and a zoom, and wherein the status ofsaid strobe during said generation of image data is an at least oneadjustable parameter; said method further comprising: determining ifsaid strobe activated during said generation of image data; determiningthe ambient light intensity during said generation of image data;determining the zoom setting during generation of said image data;wherein said determining a second value comprises determining that saidstrobe should activate during generation of subsequent image data ifsaid strobe did not activate during said generation, said ambient lightintensity was less than a preselected intensity, and said zoom settingwas greater than a preselected value.
 151. The method of claim 150, andfurther comprising displaying information on said imaging deviceindicating that an image represented by said image data may be blurry.152. The method of claim 150, and further comprising displayinginformation on said imaging device indicating that said strobe shouldactivate during generation of subsequent image data.
 153. The method ofclaim 150, wherein said determining a second value comprises determiningthat said strobe should activate during generation of subsequent imagedata if said strobe did not activate during said generation, saidambient light intensity was less than a preselected intensity, and saidzoom setting was between a first value and a second value.
 154. Themethod of claim 150, wherein said determining a second value comprisesdetermining that said strobe should activate during generation ofsubsequent image data if said strobe did not activate during saidgeneration, said ambient light intensity was less than a preselectedintensity, and said zoom setting was less than a preselected value. 155.The method of claim 1, wherein said imaging device comprises a strobe,and wherein the stability of said imaging device is an at least oneadjustable parameter; said method further comprising: determining ifsaid strobe activated during said generation of image data; determiningthe ambient light intensity during said generation of image data;determining the zoom setting during generation of said image data;wherein said determining a second value comprises determining that thestability of said imaging device should be increased relative to anobject to which image data is generated if said strobe did not activateduring said generation of image data, said ambient light intensity wasless than a preselected intensity, and said zoom setting was wider thana preselected value.
 156. The method of claim 155, and furthercomprising displaying information on said imaging device indicating thatan image represented by said image data may be blurry.
 157. The methodof claim 155, and further comprising displaying information on saidimaging device indicating that the stability of said imaging deviceshould be increased during generation of subsequent image data.
 158. Themethod of claim 155, wherein said determining a second value comprisesdetermining that the stability of said imaging device should beincreased relative to an object to which image data is generated if saidstrobe did not activate during said generation of image data, saidambient light intensity was less than a preselected intensity, and saidzoom setting was between a first value and a second value.
 159. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said analyzing comprises determining a zoomsetting used by said imaging device during said generating to determinewhether an image represented by said image data is blurry.
 160. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said imaging device comprises a strobe, and azoom setting, and wherein said zoom setting is an at least oneadjustable parameter; said method further comprising: determining ifsaid strobe activated during said generation of image data; determiningthe zoom setting during generation of said image data; wherein saiddetermining a second value comprises determining that said zoom settingshould be widened if said zoom setting was narrower than a preselectedamount during generation of said image data, and if said strobe did notactivate during said generation of image data.
 161. The method of claim160, and further comprising displaying information on said imagingdevice indicating that an image represented by said image data may beblurry.
 162. The method of claim 160, and further comprising displayinginformation on said imaging device indicating said zoom setting shouldbe widened during generation of subsequent image data.
 163. The methodof claim 1, wherein said imaging device comprises a strobe and saidimaging device has a shutter speed associated therewith; wherein saidgenerating image data comprises generating image data representative ofa plurality of images within a preselected period; and wherein thestability of said imaging device during generation of image data is anat least one adjustable parameter; said method further comprising:determining the shutter speed of said imaging device during saidgenerating image data; wherein said determining a second value comprisesdetermining that said stability of said imaging device should beincreased during subsequent generation of image data if said strobe didnot activate during said generation of image data and if said shutterspeed is slower than a preselected value.
 164. The method of claim 163,and further comprising displaying information on said imaging deviceindicating that an image represented by said image data may be blurry.165. The method of claim 163, and further comprising displayinginformation on said imaging device indicating said stability of saidimaging device should be increased during generation of subsequent imagedata.
 166. The method of claim 1, wherein said imaging device comprisesa strobe and wherein said imaging device has an ISO speed associatedtherewith; wherein said generating image data comprises generating imagedata representative of a plurality of images within a preselectedperiod; and wherein the intensity of ambient light of a scene to whichimage data is generated is an at least one adjustable parameter; saidmethod further comprising: determining the ISO speed of said imagingdevice during said generating image data; wherein said determining asecond value comprises determining that the intensity of said ambientlight should be increased during subsequent generation of image data ifsaid strobe did not activate during said generation of image data and ifsaid ISO speed is slower than a preselected value.
 167. The method ofclaim 166 and further comprising displaying information on said imagingdevice indicating that an image represented by said image data may beblurry.
 168. The method of claim 166 and further comprising displayinginformation on said imaging device indicating the intensity of saidambient light should be increased during generation of subsequent imagedata.
 169. The method of claim 166, wherein the increasing the intensityof ambient light comprises activating said strobe.
 170. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said imaging device comprises a zoom and has an ISOspeed associated therewith; wherein said generating image data comprisesgenerating image data representative of a plurality of images within apreselected period; and wherein the setting of said zoom at the timesaid image data was generated is an at least one adjustable parameter;said method further comprising: determining the ISO speed of saidimaging device during said generating image data; wherein saiddetermining a second value comprises determining that the zoom settingshould be widened during subsequent generation of image data if saidzoom setting was set narrower than a preselected value during saidgeneration of image data and if said ISO speed was slower than apreselected value.
 171. The method of claim 170, and further comprisingdisplaying information on said imaging device indicating that an imagerepresented by said image data may be blurry.
 172. The method of claim170, and further comprising displaying information on said imagingdevice indicating that said zoom setting should be widened duringgeneration of subsequent image data.
 173. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid analyzing comprises analyzing the speed in which a switchassociated with said imaging device was activated, said switch causingsaid imaging device to focus and generate said image data.
 174. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said imaging device comprises a switch, saidswitch having a first position when no force is applied, a secondposition when a first force is applied, and a third position when asecond force is applied, said second force being greater than said firstforce; wherein said switch being located in said second position causessaid imaging device to focus on a scene; wherein said switch being insaid third position causes said imaging device to generate said imagedata; and wherein the time between said switch being in said secondposition and said third position is an at least one adjustableparameter; said method further comprising: measuring the time betweensaid switch being in said second position and said third position;wherein said determining a second value comprises determining that saidtime should be decreased during subsequent generation of image data ifsaid time was greater than a preselected value.
 175. The method of claim174, and further comprising displaying information on said imagingdevice indicating that an image represented by said image data may beblurry.
 176. The method of claim 174, and further comprising displayinginformation on said imaging device indicating the speed at which saidswitch is activated should be decreased during generation of subsequentimage data.
 177. The method of claim 1, wherein said analyzing comprisesanalyzing the focus of said imaging device to determine if an imagerepresented by said image data is out of focus.
 178. The method of claim1, wherein said imaging device comprises a focus processor for focusinga scene; wherein the focus of a scene is an at least one adjustableparameter; said method further comprising: determining whether the focusof said scene is greater than a preselected value using said focusprocessor during the generation of said image data; wherein saiddetermining a second value comprises increasing said focus duringgeneration of subsequent image data if said focus was not greater thansaid preselected value.
 179. The method of claim 178 and furthercomprising displaying information on said imaging device indicating thatan image represented by said image data may be blurry.
 180. The methodof claim 178 and further comprising displaying information on saidimaging device indicating the said focus should be increased duringgeneration of subsequent image data.
 181. The method of claim 178,wherein said preselected value constitutes a focus lock via said focusprocessor
 182. The method of claim 1, wherein said imaging devicecomprises a first focus mode and a second focus mode; wherein saidimaging device focuses on objects located between a first distance andinfinity from said imaging device when said imaging device is in saidfirst focus mode; wherein said imaging device focuses on objects locatedbetween a second distance and infinity from said imaging device whensaid imaging device is in said second focus mode, said second distancebeing greater than said first distance; and wherein the focus mode ofsaid imaging device during the generation of image data is an at leastone adjustable parameter; said method further comprising: determining ifsaid imaging device attempted to focus on an object located less thansaid second distance during the generation of image data; wherein saiddetermining a second value comprises determining that said first focusmode should be used during generation of subsequent image data if saidimaging device was in said second focus mode during the generation ofimage data and said imaging device attempted to focus on an objectlocated less than said second distance from said imaging device duringgeneration of image data.
 183. The method of claim 182, and furthercomprising displaying information on said imaging device indicating thatan image represented by said image data may be blurry.
 184. The methodof claim 182, and further comprising displaying information on saidimaging device indicating the said focus mode should be changed duringgeneration of subsequent image data.
 185. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid imaging device comprises a focus processor and an indicatorassociated with said focus processor; wherein said indicator has a firstmode wherein said indicator is enabled and a second mode wherein saidindicator is disabled; wherein said indicator provides an indication offocus lock; and wherein the mode of said indicator is an at least oneadjustable parameter; said method further comprising: determiningwhether said imaging device focus lock on a scene during generation ofsaid image data; determining whether the ambient light intensity of saidscene is below a preselected value; wherein said determining a secondvalue comprises enabling said indicator during generation of subsequentimage data if said indicator was disabled and said ambient lightintensity was less than said preselected value.
 186. The method of claim185, and further comprising displaying information on said imagingdevice indicating that an image represented by said image data may beblurry.
 187. The method of claim 186, and further comprising displayinginformation on said imaging device indicating the said indicator shouldbe enabled during generation of subsequent image data.
 188. The methodof claim 1, wherein said imaging device comprises a an adjustableaperture and a focal distance, said focal distance being less than apreselected distance; the aperture size being an at least one adjustableparameter; wherein said generating image data comprises generating imagedata representative of a scene, the distance between said imaging deviceand said scene being less than said preselected distance; wherein saiddetermining a second value comprises determining a smaller aperture sizeduring generation of subsequent image data.
 189. The method of claim188, and further comprising displaying information on said imagingdevice indicating that an image represented by said image data may beblurry.
 190. The method of claim 188, and further comprising displayinginformation on said imaging device indicating the said aperture sizeshould be reduced during generation of subsequent image data.
 191. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said analyzing comprises analyzing anadaptive lighting setting to determine if an image represented by saidimage data is exposed between preselected values.
 192. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said imaging device comprises a portrait mode and alandscape mode, the imaging device being configured to generate imagedata representative of close images in portrait mode and distant imagesin landscape mode; wherein said imaging device processes said image databased on an adaptive lighting setting, said adaptive lighting settingbeing an at least one adjustable parameter; and wherein said methodfurther comprises: determining whether said imaging device was in saidportrait mode during the generation of said image data; determiningwhether a strobe associated with said imaging device activated duringthe generation of said image data; analyzing said image data todetermine if a preselected number of pixel values associated with saidimage data are greater than a preselected value and if a preselectednumber of pixel values are less than a preselected value; wherein saiddetermining a second value of comprises determining that said adaptivelighting set to low during generation of subsequent image data if saidimaging device was in said portrait mode, if said strobe did notactivate during generation of said image data, and if said preselectednumber of pixel values are greater than said preselected value and ifsaid preselected number of pixel values are less said preselected value.193. The method of claim 192, and further comprising displayinginformation on said imaging device indicating that an image representedby said image data may be contain shadows.
 194. The method of claim 192,and further comprising displaying information on said imaging deviceindicating the said adaptive lighting setting may be set to low duringgeneration of subsequent image data.
 195. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid imaging device comprises a portrait mode and a landscape mode, theimaging device being configured to generate image data representative ofclose images in portrait mode and distant images in landscape mode;wherein said imaging device comprises a strobe, the status of saidstrobe during generation of said image data being an at least oneadjustable parameter; and wherein said method further comprises:determining whether said imaging device was in said portrait mode duringthe generation of said image data; determining whether a strobeassociated with said imaging device activated during the generation ofsaid image data; analyzing said image data to determine if a preselectednumber of pixel values associated with said image data are greater thana preselected value and if a preselected number of pixel values arebelow a preselected value; wherein said determining a second value ofcomprises determining that said strobe should be activated duringgeneration of subsequent image data if said imaging device was in saidportrait mode, if said strobe did not activate during generation of saidimage data, and if said preselected number of pixel values are greaterthan said preselected value and if said preselected number of pixelvalues are below said preselected value.
 196. The method of claim 195,and further comprising displaying information on said imaging deviceindicating that an image represented by said image data may be containshadows.
 197. The method of claim 195, and further comprising displayinginformation on said imaging device indicating the said strobe should beactivated during generation of subsequent image data.
 198. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said analyzing comprises analyzing the status of aredeye correction processor to determine whether said redeye correctionprocessor should be enabled.
 199. The method of claim 1, wherein saidimaging device comprises a portrait mode and a landscape mode, theimaging device being configured to generate image data representative ofclose images in portrait mode and distant images in landscape mode;wherein said imaging device comprises a redeye processor, wherein saidredeye processor corrects eyes of subjects to which said image data wasgenerated; the status of said redeye processor being an at least oneadjustable parameter; and wherein said method further comprises:determining whether said imaging device was in said portrait mode duringthe generation of said image data; determining whether a strobeassociated with said imaging device activated during the generation ofsaid image data; wherein said determining a second value of comprisesdetermining that redeye processor should be activated during generationof subsequent image data if said imaging device was in said portraitmode, if said strobe activated during generation of said image data, andif said redeye processor was not activated during generation of saidimage data.
 200. The method of claim 199 and further comprisingdisplaying information on said imaging device indicating that eyes of asubject in a scene represented by said image data may appear red. 201.The method of claim 199 and further comprising displaying information onsaid imaging device indicating the said redeye processor should beactivated during generation of subsequent image data.
 202. The method ofclaim 1, wherein said imaging device comprises settings for contrast,sharpness, and saturation; wherein said contrast, sharpness, andsaturation comprise said adjustable parameters; and wherein said methodfurther comprises: determining whether the contrast setting is greaterthan a preselected value; determining whether the sharpness setting isgreater than a preselected value; determining whether the saturationsetting is greater than a preselected value; wherein determining asecond value comprises determining that at least one of either saidcontrast setting, said sharpness setting, or said saturation settingshould be reduced during generation of subsequent image data.
 203. Themethod of claim 202 and further comprising displaying information onsaid imaging device indicating that an image represented by said imagedata may appear unrealistic.
 204. The method of claim 202 and furthercomprising displaying information on said imaging device indicating thesettings of at least one of said contrast, said sharpness, or saidsaturation should be decreased during generation of subsequent imagedata if all of said contrast, sharpness, and saturation settings aregreater than said preselected values.
 205. The method of claim 1,wherein said imaging device comprises settings for contrast, sharpness,saturation, and adaptive lighting; wherein said contrast, sharpness,saturation, and adaptive lighting comprise said adjustable parameters;and wherein said method further comprises: determining whether thecontrast setting is greater than a preselected value; determiningwhether the sharpness setting is greater than a preselected value;determining whether the saturation setting is greater than a preselectedvalue; determining whether the setting of said adaptive lighting isgreater than a preselected value; wherein determining a second valuecomprises determining that at least one of either said contrast setting,said sharpness setting, said saturation setting or said adaptivelighting setting should be reduced during generation of subsequent imagedata if all of said contrast, sharpness, saturation, and adaptivelighting settings are greater than said preselected values.
 206. Themethod of claim 205, and further comprising displaying information onsaid imaging device indicating that an image represented by said imagedata may appear unrealistic.
 207. The method of claim 205, and furthercomprising displaying information on said imaging device indicating thesettings of at least one of said contrast, said sharpness, saidsaturation, or said adaptive lighting should be decreased duringgeneration of subsequent image data.
 208. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid imaging device comprises settings for contrast, sharpness, andadaptive lighting; wherein said contrast, sharpness, and adaptivelighting comprise said adjustable parameters; and wherein said methodfurther comprises: determining whether the contrast setting is greaterthan a preselected value; determining whether the sharpness setting isgreater than a preselected value; determining whether the setting ofsaid adaptive lighting is greater than a preselected value; whereindetermining a second value comprises determining that at least one ofeither said contrast setting, said sharpness setting, or said adaptivelighting setting should be reduced during generation of subsequent imagedata if all of said contrast, sharpness, and adaptive lighting settingsare greater than said preselected values.
 209. The method of claim 208,and further comprising displaying information on said imaging deviceindicating that an image represented by said image data may appearunrealistic.
 210. The method of claim 208, and further comprisingdisplaying information on said imaging device indicating the settings orat least one of said contrast, said sharpness, or said adaptive lightingshould be decreased during generation of subsequent image data.
 211. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said imaging device comprises settings forcontrast, saturation, and adaptive lighting; wherein said contrast,saturation, and adaptive lighting comprise said adjustable parameters;and wherein said method further comprises: determining whether thecontrast setting is greater than a preselected value; determiningwhether the saturation setting is greater than a preselected value;determining whether the setting of said adaptive lighting is greaterthan a preselected value; wherein determining a second value comprisesdetermining that at least one of either said contrast setting, saidsaturation setting or said adaptive lighting setting should be reducedduring generation of subsequent image data if all of said contrast,saturation, and adaptive lighting settings are greater than saidpreselected values.
 212. The method of claim 211, and further comprisingdisplaying information on said imaging device indicating that an imagerepresented by said image data may appear unrealistic.
 213. The methodof claim 211, and further comprising displaying information on saidimaging device indicating the settings of at least one of said contrast,said saturation, or said adaptive lighting should be decreased duringgeneration of subsequent image data.
 214. The method of claim 1, whereinsaid imaging device comprises settings for sharpness, saturation, andadaptive lighting; wherein said sharpness, saturation, and adaptivelighting comprise said adjustable parameters; and wherein said methodfurther comprises: determining whether the sharpness setting is greaterthan a preselected value; determining whether the saturation setting isgreater than a preselected value; determining whether the setting ofsaid adaptive lighting is greater than a preselected value; whereindetermining a second value comprises determining that at least one ofeither said sharpness setting, said saturation setting or said adaptivelighting setting should be reduced during generation of subsequent imagedata if all of said sharpness, saturation, and adaptive lightingsettings are greater than said preselected values.
 215. The method ofclaim 214 and further comprising displaying information on said imagingdevice indicating that an image represented by said image data mayappear unrealistic.
 216. The method of claim 214 and further comprisingdisplaying information on said imaging device indicating the settings ofat least one of said sharpness, said saturation, or said adaptivelighting should be decreased during generation of subsequent image data.217. The method of claim 1, wherein imaging device has an ISO speedassociated therewith; said imaging device further comprising an adaptivelighting setting; wherein said ISO speed and said adaptive lightingsetting are adjustable parameters; said method further comprising:determining whether said ISO speed exceeded a preselected value duringthe generation of said image data; determining whether said adaptivelighting setting exceeded a preselected value during the generation ofsaid image data; wherein said determining a second value comprisesdetermining that either said ISO speed or said adaptive lighting settingshould be reduced during generation of subsequent image data if said ISOspeed exceed said preselected value and said adaptive lighting settingexceeded said preselected value.
 218. The method of claim 217, whereinsaid preselected ISO speed corresponds to about
 400. 219. The method ofclaim 217, and further comprising displaying information on said imagingdevice indicating that an image represented by said image data mayappear unrealistic.
 220. The method of claim 217, and further comprisingdisplaying information on said imaging device indicating the settings ofat least one of said adaptive lighting or ISO speed should be decreasedduring generation of subsequent image data.
 221. The method of claim 1,wherein said analyzing comprises determining the temperature of saidimaging device.
 222. The method of claim 1, wherein imaging devicecomprises a temperature sensor and wherein the temperature of saidimaging device at the time said image data was generated is an at leastone adjustable parameter; wherein said method further comprises:determining the temperature of said imaging device at the time saidimage data was generated; wherein determining a second value comprisesdetermining a lower temperature for said imaging device duringgeneration of subsequent image data if said temperature of said imagingdevice was above a preselected temperature.
 223. The method of claim222, wherein said imaging device comprises a photodetector array andwherein said determining the temperature of said imaging devicecomprises determining the temperature of said photodetector array. 224.The method of claim 222 and further comprising displaying information onsaid imaging device indicating that said imaging device was too hotduring generation of said image data.
 225. The method of claim 222 andfurther comprising displaying information on said imaging deviceindicating that the temperature of said imaging device should be reducedduring generation of subsequent image data.
 226. The method of claim222, wherein said imaging device comprises a display, and wherein saiddetermining the temperature of said imaging device comprises determiningthe time in which a display has been active.
 227. The method of claim 1,wherein imaging device comprises a temperature sensor and an adaptivelighting setting; wherein said adaptive lighting setting is an at leastone adjustable parameter; wherein said method further comprises:determining the temperature of said imaging device at the time saidimage data was generated; determining said adaptive lighting setting atthe time said image date was generated; wherein determining a secondvalue comprises determining a lower adaptive lighting setting duringgeneration of subsequent image data if said temperature was above apreselected temperature and said adaptive lighting setting was set abovea preselected value.
 228. The method of claim 227, wherein said imagingdevice comprises a photodetector array and wherein said determining thetemperature of said imaging device comprises determining the temperatureof said photodetector array.
 229. The method of claim 227 and furthercomprising displaying information on said imaging device indicating thatsaid imaging device was too hot during for said adaptive lightingsetting during the generation of said image data.
 230. The method ofclaim 227 and further comprising displaying information on said imagingdevice indicating that said adaptive lighting setting should be reducedduring generation of subsequent image data.
 231. The method of claim227, wherein imaging device comprises a display, and wherein saiddetermining the temperature of said imaging device comprises determiningthe time in which said display has been active.
 232. The method of claim1, wherein said imaging device comprises a portrait mode, said portraitmode causing at least one setting of said imaging device to captureimages within a predetermined distance from said imaging device; saidimaging device further comprising a zoom; wherein said the setting ofsaid zoom is an at least one adjustable parameter; wherein said methodfurther comprises: determining if said imaging device was in saidportrait mode during generation of said image data; determining saidsetting of said zoom during generation of said image data; wherein saiddetermining a second value comprises determining a narrower zoom settingduring generation of subsequent image data if said imaging device was inportrait mode and said zoom setting was wider than a preselected valueduring the generation of said image data.
 233. The method of claim 232,and further comprising displaying information on said imaging deviceindicating that an image represented by said image data may appearunrealistic.
 234. The method of claim 232, and further comprisingdisplaying information on said imaging device indicating the saidsetting of said zoom should be narrowed during generation of subsequentimage data.
 235. The method of claim 1, wherein said imaging devicecomprises an action mode, said action mode causing at least one settingof said imaging device to capture images of moving objects; wherein saidimaging device further comprises a switch, said switch having a firstposition when no force is applied, a second position when a first forceis applied, and a third position when a second force is applied, saidsecond force being greater than said first force; wherein said switchbeing located in said second position causes said imaging device tofocus on a scene; wherein said switch being in said third positioncauses said imaging device to generate said image data; and wherein thetime that said switch is in said second position is an at least oneadjustable parameter; said method further comprising: determiningwhether said imaging device was in said action mode during generation ofsaid image data; determining the time that said switch said secondposition; wherein said determining a second value comprises determiningthat said time said switch is in said second position should beincreased during generation of subsequent image data if said imagingdevice was in action mode during generation of said image data and ifsaid time was greater than a preselected time.
 236. The method of claim235, wherein said preselected time is about one and one half seconds.237. The method of claim 235 and further comprising displayinginformation on said imaging device indicating that an image representedby said image data may be blurry.
 238. The method of claim 235 andfurther comprising displaying information on said imaging deviceindicating the time said switch should be in said second position shouldbe increased during generation of subsequent image data.
 239. The methodof claim 1, wherein said imaging device comprises a digital zoom, saiddigital zoom being an at least on adjustable parameter; said methodfurther comprising: determining whether said digital zoom was used induring the generation of said image data; wherein said determining asecond value comprises eliminating said digital zoom during generationof subsequent image data.
 240. The method of claim 239 and furthercomprising displaying information on said imaging device suggestingeliminating said digital zoom during generation of subsequent imagedata.
 241. A digital camera comprising: at least one computer readablemedium; and computer readable program code stored on said at least onecomputer readable medium, said computer readable program code comprisinginstructions for operating said digital camera by: generating imagedata, using an imaging device, said generating having at least oneadjustable parameter associated therewith, said at least one firstadjustable parameter being set at a first value; analyzing said firstvalue of said at least one first adjustable parameter; and determining asecond value of said at least one adjustable parameter based on saidanalyzing.
 242. The digital camera of claim 241, wherein said firstvalue is associated with said image data.
 243. The digital camera ofclaim 241, and further comprising displaying information on said imagingdevice related to setting said at least one adjustable parameter to saidsecond value.
 244. A digital camera comprising: generating means forgenerating image data, using an imaging device, said generating havingat least one adjustable parameter associated therewith, said at leastone first adjustable parameter being set at a first value; analyzingmeans for analyzing said first value of said at least one firstadjustable parameter; and determining means for determining a secondvalue of said at least one adjustable parameter based on said analyzing.